‘Tibetan Struggle Needs A Boost To Achieve Its Goal’
by Pawan Sharma
(Hindustan Times | May 14, 2002)
'Tibetan Freedom struggle in exile has been more symbolic than
confrontational,' remarks general secretary of Friends of Tibet
(INDIA) organisation, Tenzin Tsundue.
The activists of Friends of Tibet (INDIA) appear reserve and observed
that even protest marches taken out on certain important occassions
have become a more ritual with the Tibetan youth, who are mistaking
'non-violence' with 'non-action'.
In an exclusive talk with the Hindustan Times, Tenzin Tsundue said,
'we are motivating every Tibetan to become pro-active and shun
complacency. Exile in India has become a comfortable bed, which has
made Tibetans complacent. Due to comforts in India, the Tibetans
have forgotten the cause of Tibet'.
Tenzin was caught in January for climbing the 14th floor of a Mumbai
hotel shouting anti-China slogans and unfurling Tibetan flag from
the window.
He said Friends of Tibet (INDIA) has built its network at grassroots
level and local leaders of the community on regular intervals inform
the Tibetans about the situation inside Tibet. 'We want to take out
processions, hold rallies on the issue of Tibet. Lack of initiative
has made the struggle very passive. We are telling people to do
something on their own, instead of waiting for help from others,'
he said.
In this fresh move to make the community, especially the
youth proactive, the activists of the Friends of Tibet (INDIA)
have launched different programmes like workshops, talks and
seminars. These different programmes aim at energising, empowering
and making Tibetans aware about the Tibetan issue. Besides, the
Friends of Tibet (INDIA) will educate the youth how to organise
protest marches and how to take the struggle to its logical end.
Disclosing this, Tsundue said workshops would be organised in six
different Tibetan camps in North-east and other areas dominated by
Tibetans. Friends of Tibet (INDIA) will create leaders in Tibetan
settlements who would be further motivate more people of the
community to take more active part in the freedom struggle.
'Its like Tibet is on fire and we are outside screaming for help
admist comforts of living in independent countries. How can we ask
our people stranded inside to face the fire while we are enjoying? We
should ask ourselves what have we done for our country and whether
we are performing any duty honestly?' said Tenzin. He said only
aggressive campaigns could offer some inspiration to Tibetans living
inside Tibet.
According to him, ever since the Tibetan government-in-exile started
dealing with China, the Tibetan freedom struggle has ceased to be
a mass movement.
'Unless it becomes a mass movement, the chances of Tibet becoming
independent appear bleak,' Tenzin observed. The Tibetan activist
said instead of romanticising about Tibet and supporting the cause
for sentimental reasons, Tibteans must understand the struggle.
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