TYC President Mr. Gonpo Dhundup and TYC Joint Secretary Mr. Tsewang Rabgyal and RTYC Shimla President Mr. Pema Dorjee met Hon. Jai Ram Thaku, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh at his residence in Shimla on 22nd September 2021. TYC President thanked government and the people of Himachal Pradesh on TYC’s 50th Founding Anniversary.
At International Tibet Network’s (ITN) invitation, TYC President Mr. Gonpo Dhundup attended the first ever cross-regional meeting in Barcelona from 27-29 May 2022, convened by ITN. This was the first in-person meeting of the Tibet Support Groups (TSGs) since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over 55 participants, both Tibetans, and Tibet supporters, from 18 different countries spanning Asia, Europe, America, and Asia gathered at Casa Del Tibet for the three-day meeting to discuss, deliberate, and maximize the effectiveness of the worldwide Tibet movement.
During the meeting, Mr. Gonpo Dhundup introduced about Tibetan Youth Congress and its significance in the Tibetan Freedom struggle. He had also met with the representatives of numerous organizations and built networks with them for future collaborations with TYC.
ITN has held annual Regional meetings in different capitals of the world since its inception in the year 2000, which were disrupted by the pandemic.
Upon the invitation of RTYC NYNJ and decision by TYC Centrex, TYC President Mr. Gonpo Dhundup conducted and chaired the election of the 17th RTYC NYNJ executive members with the assistance from the former Presidents of RTYC NYNJ Mr. Ngawang Tharchin and Mr. Tenzin Kalden la. The election was witnessed by representatives of four major organization namely Tibetan Community NYNJ, Regional Chushi Gangtruk, Regional U-Tsang Association, Regional Domey Association.
The election was successfully concluded with seven new executive members. On 22nd May 2022, TYC President took charge of the oath-taking ceremony of the new executive members.
On 17th May 2022, TYC President participated in a protest campaign to mark the 27 years of enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima in front of the Chinese Consulate Office, New York.
Tibetans, the Buddhists and Tibet supporters around the world mark 17th May as the 27th anniversary of the Chinese government’s enforced disappearance of Tibet’s 11th Panchen Lama. Along with the Panchen Lama, his entire family as well as Chadrel Rinpoche, head of the search committee to find the reincarnated Panchen Lama, were also abducted and have disappeared. Since then, he has remained unheard of and unseen by the world.
TYC President Gonpo Dhundup joined the celebration of the 23rd founding anniversary of Bharat Tibbat Sanyog Manch (BTSM). BTSM has remained one of the strongest supporters of the Tibetan cause since its inception on 5th May 1999 under the patronage of Shri. Indresh Kumar. BTSM has more than 250 chapters all over India and remains one of the most active supporters of the Tibetan Cause.
The meeting was joined by Shri. Indresh Kumar Ji, a senior leader of RSS and founder of the organization as the Chief Guest, Mr. Konchok Yarphel, Member of Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPiE), and Mr. Gonpo Dhundup, TYC President as the Special Guests of the program.
In the margins of the program, TYC President highlighted the ongoing critical situation inside Tibet and also thanked BTSM for their constant support for Tibet’s just cause, and urged everyone to work together to fulfil the ultimate aim of restoring the rightful independence of Tibet.
25th March 2022: The Tibetan Youth Congress staged a protest outside the Hyderabad House to oppose the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India.
Eight TYC activists lead by Joint Secretary Mr. Tsewang Rabgyal la and Organizational Secretary Mr. Penpa Tsering protested with placards reading “Tibet’s Independence, India’s Security”, “Wang Yi, Go Back” and “Free Tibet, Save the World”. But just after a minute of protest, the police came and took the activists along with the Centrex members and detained them till evening at the Mandir Marg Police Station.
Prior to the visit of Wang Yi, TYC issued a press statement condemning Yi’s visit. The press statement reads as follows:
As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives in India to discuss LAC resolution and the Ukraine crisis. Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest Tibetan NGO in exile strongly condemns his visit to India after his visit to Pakistan.
TYC expresses serious concern about the current critical situation in Tibet and urges Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to bring up the issue of Tibetan freedom with their Chinese counterparts.
While we recognize that this meeting is a great opportunity for India and China to push for progress, we strongly urge Indian leaders to hold the Chinese leaders responsible for their actions in Tibet. With the illegal occupation of Tibet by China, the border disputes between India and China have become tenser and Chinese forces have time and again tried to illegally intrude on Indian Soil. The constant transgressions from the PLA at the Indo-Tibet border were never an issue before 1959. Hence, to combat and control the forceful intrusion of Chinese forces on Indian soil, Tibet’s independence remains the only viable solution.
The current Chinese Communist Government is directly responsible for the current spate of tragic events unravelling inside Tibet including Human Rights violations. and restrictions on freedom of religion. Over 158 Tibetans have self-immolated inside Tibet since 2009. The fate and conditions of the others are still not known. Protests are taking place randomly across the plateau, demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Freedom for Tibet, and Independence for Tibet.
TYC condemns Wang Yi’s visit and exposes China for all the lies, fabrications, and atrocities committed not just to the Tibetans but to the world at large. Hence, Tibetan Youth Congress would like to put forward three of our demands:
We believe it is time for Indian leaders to confront the Chinese Government on the issue of Tibet and use diplomatic measures sending a strong message that Human Rights and human lives are as important as trade and economy.
The Statement of the Tibetan Youth Congress on the 63rd National Uprising Day of Tibet
On this day of 10th March 2022, Tibetan people across the globe are commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day. On this occasion, the Tibetan Youth Congress would like to take the opportunity to offer our deepest homage to the patriotic Tibetan men and women who’ve sacrificed their lives to restore Tibet’s national sovereignty. We also want to pay our respects to the surviving family members and their relatives and the brave Tibetan men and women who continue to resist Chinese occupation.
Since the forceful invasion of Tibet in 1949, Tibetans from all walks of life have fought relentlessly but Tibet was brutally occupied by 1959. On this day of 10th March 1959, Tibetans from all three traditional regions rose to the defence of their historically defined sovereignty and a national leader with indomitable courage and a spirit of self-sacrifice, culminating in the famous Tibetan Uprising of 10th March 1959 with three famous slogans, “May His Holiness the Dalai Lama live for thousands of years!”, “Tibet is an independent country!” and “China, Quit Tibet!”.
Since then, Communist China deprived the Tibetan people of their basic rights and freedom and was subjected to strict surveillance. Because of such oppressive policies, Tibetans inside Tibet have resorted to measures like self-immolation to protest against China’s illegal occupation of Tibet. Till now, 168 Tibetans have set themselves on fire. On 25th February 2022, a 25 years old Tibetan artist, Tsewang Norbu set himself on fire in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa to protest against China.
Recently, when China hosted the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, heavy restrictions were imposed on Tibetans inside Tibet and showcased thousands of Chinese propaganda posters and paintings inside Tibet. Moreover, Tibetan Schools were shut down, there were bans on large religious gatherings, Nomads were resettled from their traditional homelands, and Statues of Buddha and Guru were destroyed. A renowned writer, Go Sherab Gyatso was arbitrarily imprisoned for 10 years for writing about Tibet. In short, the Chinese Communist Party has made living life like Hell in Tibet. Despite all these Gross Human Rights Violations in Tibet, Uyghurs, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southern Mongolia, the International Olympic Committee has turned a blind eye and let China host the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Today, on this occasion, Tibetan Youth Congress condemn CCP’s repressive regime in Tibet and reaffirm our commitment to resist China and continue our fight for the independence of Tibet.
We’d also like to extend heartfelt appreciation to all the individuals and organizations who continue to contribute to the cause of Tibet in various ways during this difficult time. We also urge Tibetans living in exile and inside Tibet to remain united and steadfast in our struggle against the single opponent and ultimate goal. We must stand, speak and take responsibility for our movement.
Finally, we’d like to pray for the long life of our leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and an early reunion of all the Tibetan people in an independent Tibet.
Bhod Gyalo! Bhod Rangzen Gyalo!
On 10th March 2022, Tibetans all over the world commemorated the 63rd National Uprising Day. The Office of the Central Executive Committee, TYC along with the Regional Chapters has led the processions over various cities and States.
In Dharamshala, the hub of the Tibetan community, the Tibetan Youth Congress along with four major NGOs organized a protest march from Tsuglakhang, Temple Road to Kachari, Dharamshala to commemorate 63rd Tibetan National Uprising Day. On reaching the Kachari Police ground, the gathering was addressed by the TYC Organizational Secretary Mr. Penpa Tsering, and the representatives of the Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA), National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT), Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet, and Students for a Free Tibet (STF) India.
In the National Capital of India, around 70 Tibetan Youth took part in the TYC-led peaceful demonstration at the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi on 10th March 2022. All 70 activists along with TYC General Secretary, Mr. Sonam Tsering, TYC Information Secretary Ms. Lhamo, and TYC Researcher Ms. Tenzin Norzom were arrested after more than five minutes of fierce demonstration. All the three organizers were charged under section 144.
They were detained at the Mandir Marg Police Station till the evening. All the activists were warmly welcomed with white scarves by the representatives of Tibetan NGOs in Majnu Ka Tilla. The event ended with a candlelight vigil around Majnu Ka Tilla.
Pic 54, 55, 56, 57: 10 March Protest campaign outside the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.
In Bangalore, TYC along with the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress Bangalore organized a Peace Rally from MG Road to Press Club, Bangalore. After that, TYC President Mr. Gonpo Dhundup along with TYC Cultural Secretary Mr. Yeshi Chomphel held a press briefing at the Bangalore Press Club. This was attended by Mr. Niranjan Umapathy, President of the Indo-Tibet Friendship Association (ITFA) South Zone, Mr. Raja Shekar, President of Bharat Tibbat Sanyog Manch (BTSM) Bangalore, and Bharath Ramanujan Kumandur, BJP Bangalore Representative. After the briefing, the guests reaffirmed their commitment to support the cause of Tibet. The event was concluded with a candlelight vigil in Bangalore Tibetan Youth Hostel. South India Chief Representative Officer (CRO) along with the staff and students took part in the candlelight vigil.
On 26th February 2022, TYC President had a public meeting with Mundgod Tibetan Settlement and addressed the “Current critical situation in Tibet and TYC’s advocacy for Tibet”. With the arrangement of RTYC Mundgod, TYC President visited two regional units and successfully resolved a long-pending internal problem. Regional Executives and members from Camp 2 and 4 fully merged under the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress and resolved the long-pending RTYC chapter problem.
Tsewang Norbu, a popular 25-year-old contemporary Tibetan singer self-immolated on 25th February 2022 in front of the Potala Palace in Tibet’s Capital Lhasa. Chinese Police immediately came to the spot and took him away but succumbed to his injury and passed away after a few days. Tsewang Norbu’s family was informed of his passing by the Chinese Police on 2nd March 2022. However, his body was not handed over to his family.
As a mark of solidarity, TYC along with four major Tibetan NGOs based in Dharamshala organized solidarity Candlelight Vigil in McLeod Ganj. Tsewang Norbu marked the 158th self-immolator inside Tibet.
Self-Immolation as a form of protest is a dramatic and powerful statement. Despite facing oppression, dispossession, and policies that undermine Tibetan religion, culture, and livelihoods over the past half-century, Tibetans have not resorted to any violent means. Most of the self-immolators share a common goal of bringing His Holiness back to Tibet and calling for freedom and independence in Tibet. The crisis grows out of China’s political repression, cultural assimilation, economic marginalization, social discrimination, and environmental destruction in Tibet. The major location of self-immolation happened near government buildings and headquarters to symbolize the continuing occupation in Tibet and to challenge the Chinese government’s legitimacy in Tibet. The people self-immolate to show solidarity with Tibet and to protest against the on-going occupation by the Chinese Government.
TYC President Mr. Gonpo Dhundup was invited as the Chief Guest of RTYC Mundgod Golden Jubilee celebration on 24th February 2022. The program was also attended by Member of Tibetan Parliament in Exile Ven. Atruk Tsetan as Special Guest, Tibetan Settlement Officer, Mundgod Mr. Lhakpa Tsering, and Indo-Tibet Friendship Association President Shri. Amrut Joshi, Community Leaders, former and current members of RTYC Mundgod.
In the address note by the President, Mr. Gonpo Dhundup urged the RTYC members and Tibetan masses to be united and actively involved in Tibetan Freedom Struggle. On the occasion of 50th founding anniversary of RTYC Mundgod, TYC Central Executive Committee thanked the Government of India and particularly, the State of Karnataka for their unwavering support and solidarity with the Tibetans.