Chandigarh. A cycle rally is being organized by the Tibetan Youth Congress from 24 September to 1 October 2024 starting from Dekiling, Dehradun and going to Delhi via Chandigarh. More than 50 volunteers from the North India chapter of the Tibetan Youth Congress will participate in the event which coincides with the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 2024. Youth Congress leaders told the press conference that the main objective of this rally is to highlight the atrocities being committed by the Chinese Communist regime in Tibet and to protest against its illegal rule which has been continuing for the last six decades. Our goal is to draw international attention to the ongoing cultural genocide in Tibet where China is implementing harsh policies to systematically eradicate Tibetan culture and identity.
These policies include forcing Tibetan children to attend colonial-style boarding schools, restricting curriculum activities related to Tibetan culture, and imprisoning teachers and individuals who preserve the Tibetan language. With this, Tibetan schools and monasteries are being forcibly closed which have long played an important role in preserving Tibetan culture, language and spiritual heritage.
According to recent reports, approximately 1,700 young monks from Kirti Monastery and two other monasteries in the Dzog region of the traditional region of Amdo (now included in Sichuan Province) were forcibly removed from monastic life without their or their parents’ consent by the government, Enrolled in colonial-style boarding schools. This horrific violation of their rights and freedoms is a stark reminder of the Chinese government’s efforts to suppress Tibetan culture and identity. Tibetan schools have recently been closed by the Chinese government, including the Ragya Tshoring Norbu institute.
Through this cycle rally against these cultural genocide campaigns, we demand an end to the repressive policies adopted by the Chinese government and appeal to the international community to support Tibetans in preserving their unique culture. We urge the international community to pressure China to end its genocidal policies in Tibet.
After the illegal annexation of Tibet, the Chinese Communist government has exploited Tibet’s rich mineral resources in the name of development projects which is endangering the existence of historical places and monasteries. Dam projects on the Drichhu and other rivers in Tibet will have a devastating impact on the livelihoods of Tibetans and downstream countries.
The development in the border areas driven by China’s aggressive expansionist policies will have direct consequences for neighboring countries as well. We therefore also urge the Government of India to be alert and mindful of China’s strategic development campaigns that could have far-reaching implications for regional security and stability.
Following the rally we will present a petition to the UN Office in Delhi and other relevant bodies seeking their support and intervention to address the dire situation in Tibet.
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