Three Hunger strikers at Majnu Ka Tilla Tibetan Settlement
New Delhi, 6th September, 2012—In the midst of all the chaos, the three hunger strikers and every protestor who had raised their voices in front of the Prime Minister’s residence on the 4th Sept, 2012 against the visit of the Chinese Defence Minister, Liang Guanlie, were jailed in the cells of Tihar.
At 2.30pm today, TYC members and activists went to the Special Court of Magistrate, New Delhi to get the release order for all those who were jailed in Tihar. They were eventually released from Tihar jail only at 9.30pm. The Chinese Defence Minister had left the country. Joyfully welcoming back the three hunger strikers, their two helpers and the protestors, TYC’s Joint Secretary Tenzin Norsang on behalf of TYC and RTYC garlanded them with scarves right in front of Tihar jail and honoured them for their ordeal and their release.
The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress arranged a meeting at the Rohini Tibetan Hostel as soon as the protestors were released from the prison.
TYC had arranged for the three hunger strikers to rest the night in front of the Samyeling monastery in Majnu ka Tilla. They reached MT at around 10.40pm, where the Tibetans living in Majnu ka Tilla had gathered to receive them. TYC Finance Secretary, Konchok Yangphel, had earlier made the necessary announcements over the Public speaking systems and notified all the Tibetans in Majnu ka Tilla about the arrival of TYC executives who were fasting for the cause of Tibet. Tenzing Norsang then spoke to the crowd and explained in detail about the incidences and events which had passed over the last few days for the Indefinite hunger strike.
TYC Vice President Dhondup Lhadhar arrives at Majnuka Tilla Tibetan Settlement
Jigme Sholpa TYC Cultural Secretary addressed the crowd, speaking for all the three hunger strikers, that the ordeal they had been through over the last 3 days of the Indefinite hunger strike feels like the way you feel when you have fasted for twenty days. The police treatment, the way they were dragged around in the police van for hours together and the nightmarish bus ride causing physical injuries to all the three of them has definitely not made it easy. But he assures everyone that the determination and the willingness to continue has not reduced by even an ounce. They are still standing for the cause and will continue with the hunger strike as long as it takes them.
The medical check up of the three fasters revealed the following changes in their vitals due to the fasting for the last four days. TYC vice-President, Dhondup Lhadar, had lost 7 kg, Penpa Tsering, Organizational Secretary, had lost 5kg and Jigme Sholpa, Cultural Secretary, had lost 5kg and his blood pressure level had gone up.
Jigme Sholpa (left), Dhondup Lhadhar (center) and Penpa Tsering (right)
India did not become a free country on the strength of only Mahatma Gandhi’s shoulder and spirit, it happened because every Indian rose together and followed his leadership on the path to independence. Likewise, TYC and its supporters and the activists will continue doing what they feel needs to be done for the cause of Tibet, but their work will be even more effective and productive if each and every Tibetan brothers and sisters were to stand upwith us.
Tomorrow is the fifth day of the Indefinite hunger strike and TYC will go back to Jantar Mantar to carry on with their activities. They believe that they will be heard better by the international community, the European Parliament and the United Nations from a public platform like Jantar Mantar. The Indian Police authorities have clearly warned TYC that they will be allowed to do their 
fasting only during the day and not at night. In the past, TYC’s hunger strikes in India have continued even during the night, inspite police have not put any pressure like today. With this indefinite hunger strike as well, we are ready to face any hurdles that might come up. We are not sure what more will happen, but TYC is even more firm in their decision and determination to continue. They urge all the Tibetans in Delhi and everywhere to be there at Jantar Mantar tomorrow to show their support and solidarity to fulfil the four demands and one appeal which is the purpose of this hunger strike.
