‘Tibetan Youths Seek Monk's Release’
(The Free Press Journal | November 6, 2004)

Mumbai: Over 100 Tibetan youths on Friday, went on a hunger strike as part of their campaign to press for immediate release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, an incarnate Buddhist lama sentenced to death by Chinese government on bomb blast charges, reports UNI.

Activists of Tibetan Youth Congress and Friends of Tibet (India) began the hunger strike at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai. They marched to the Chinese Consulate General's office before beginning the stir.

Friends of Tibet (India) general secretary Tenzin Tsundue alledged Rinpoche, who has been recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, had been implicated on false charges by the Chinese authorities. Rinpoche, awarded the death rap in 2002 with two years reprieve, was active in Tibet for years working for the welfare of the people there, Tsundue said.

He said his organisation had shot off petitions to UN General Secretary Kofi Annan, the United Nations Human Rights Commission and the Indian Prime Minister, seeking their intervention to stop the execution set for next month, and his release.

Tsundue said after the agitation in the city, hunger strike would be observed in Calcutta, Bangalore and New Delhi to gain people's support for their cause. The Tibetans and their Indian supporters would hold a 'puja' and a candle light vigil at Azad Maidan.

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The Case of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche