Free Tibet
Novanita Sharma
The annexation of Tibet by communist People’s Republic of China in 1950s and it’s the subsequent forceful occupation by communist China gave birth to the Tibetan freedom movement. The Tibetan national uprising in March 1959 pulled the entire Tibet into Tibetan freedom movement. The consequent exodus of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama seeking exile in India followed by millions of Tibetans who found asylum in India and other countries as refugees gradually consolidated support from many different countries to the Tibetan freedom movement in the consequent years. The Free Tibet or Tibetan freedom movement earned due respect and support from the global community because of its firm commitment in the values of non-violence and humanity.
This resolute non-violent resistance movement of the Tibetans (which include the Tibetans living in Tibet as well as the Tibetan Diaspora scattered over the globe) against one of the most oppressive regimes ever witnessed in human history exemplifies greatest human endurance and perseverance of all times. This exemplary resilience of the Tibetan freedom movement gives hope to 8 billion human beings. Tibetans have incurred irreparable loss of life, property and heritage under the 70 years of autocratic rule of China in Tibet. Till date, 1 million Tibetans have been killed by Chinese authorities and thousands of monasteries have been destroyed so far.
The peaceful Tibetans have resorted to put their bodies ablaze protesting against this systemic cultural and ethnic cleansing of Tibet under the Chinese rule. Till now 154 Tibetans have attained martyrdom by self-immolating themselves protesting against the repressive Chinese policies and its ruthless rule in Tibet. The saga of human rights violation faced by the Tibetans in Tibet is beyond imagination of any civilized human society. Despite such atrocities, Tibetans has shown the grit and strength to pursue a truly non-violent freedom movement for the independence and justice for their nation. Salute to this Tibetan spirit; this indomitable spirit could never be bound in shackles for too long, no matter how mighty and powerful the oppressor is.
India shares its northern and eastern Himalayan frontiers, the longest international border of the country with Tibet (now forcefully occupied by Communist China). India has faced the nuisance of the deceitful Chinese bullying since the annexation of Tibet by communist China in 1959. The expansionist policy of communist China has shown its true face in the illegal occupation of a sovereign nation like Tibet and subjugating its discrete cultural and national identity with methods of systemic annihilation. The covert motives of communist China to further expand its territory is visibly understood by India and the rest of the world.
The communist People’s Republic of China is an imminent threat to peace and stability in Asia, and this threat looms large at India’s doorsteps. The Covid -19 pandemic of year 2020, a home-grown global crisis masterminded by communist China devasted the entire world. World’s most powerful nations shook to the maneuvers of the China designed corona virus. The latent threat of the demonic Red China against the free spirit of human beings lashed across the planet; the whole world held captive in isolation striving to survive behind the endless saga of face masks, PP kits and hand sanitizers.
The communist regime of China has been a blatant violator of all ethics, norms, international laws related to human rights and environment since its very inception. The covid 19 pandemic gave a chance to the world to make prima facie with this regime of violence and deceit. This unmasking of the real intent of the communist Chinese government calls for stringent actions against it by the international community. This also calls for a greater participation of Indian people in the Tibetan freedom movement, it is not only for the cause of Tibet but for the peace and stability of entire Asia and India as well.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 led the Tibetan freedom movement to the stature of a global campaign to give justice to Tibet and to give the 6 million Tibetans their birth right to live in their own country as free citizens and freely practice their culture and religion without fear of persecution. This globally trending Tibetan freedom movement however needed to make its inroads amongst the people of India.
The active participation of Indians in the Tibetan freedom movement is significant for the independence of Tibet from the clutches of communist China, it is also about India’s accountability towards the peace and stability of the entire South East Asia. India being the largest democracy has a bigger role to play in the freedom movement of Tibet. Apart from this, India shares a close historical, cultural, anthropogenic and ecological bonding with Tibet.
Every Indian is connected with the past, present and future of Tibet through this deep connection. The Tibetan freedom movement is an Indian cause, every Indian is connected with this cause. The largest democracy of the world ought to play a more active and substantial role in giving freedom to Tibet from its illegal occupation by communist China. India has undeniably many strong political, historical, cultural and humanitarian reasons to stand with Tibet, be its biggest supporter and fight with the Tibetans in their struggle for freedom against the common adversary, the communist China.
A peek into history tells us that two Indian states, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have played a crucial role in the Tibetan freedom movement. These Northeastern states of India provided a safe passage to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in his escape from Potala Palace to India in 1959. Arunachal Pradesh (NEFA in 1959) received His Holiness in the Himalayan frontier and Assam connected His Holiness and hundreds of Tibetan refugees with rest of India in their transit to their temporary shelter, then in Musoorie. In subsequent time Assam and Arunachal Pradesh remained deeply connected with the Tibetan freedom movement till date.
Assam with its diverse ethnic makeup has a deeper connection with Tibet, wherein the people share their bloodlines, they have striking similarities in their cultural practices, musical instruments, food, script and anthropology. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya have been home to hundreds of Tibetans refugees since 1959. The people of Assam and Northeast India thus are very close to the Tibetan culture and the cause of Tibetan freedom movement. The 1962 Sino -Indian war brought the people of North East India and especially the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh closer to the looming threat from the Red Army and the coercive Chinese politics. Historical events have further bolstered the geographic, anthropogenic and spiritual kinship of Assam and Northeast India with Tibet.
Ironically, despite the close affinity with Tibet, the essence of Tibetan freedom movement remained distant from the common populace of Assam and Northeast India. It has been the same story in rest of India, the successive Indian leaders and the Tibet support groups couldn’t facilitate a proper comprehension of the Tibetan cause thus their efforts remained as a token political campaign which couldn’t involve any people’s participation in it. India and Tibet are undeniably connected through a strategically significant relation, where both countries mutually contribute to each other’s peace, progress and stability.
India has irrefutably supported the peaceful Tibetan freedom movement from its very inception, many prominent Indian leaders and statesmen like Sardar Ballavbhai Patel, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar to Sri Atal Behari Vajpayee extended whole hearted support the independence of Tibet and have criticized the despicable behavior of communist China. India has provided shelter to His Holiness and millions of Tibetan refugees after 1959, His Holiness found the needed freedom and support to strengthen the Tibetan freedom movement and preserve the rich religious and cultural heritage of Tibet in the democratic framework of India.
Tibet found refuge in India. India has given an exemplary humanitarian service to the Tibetan refugees; many of them born and brought up in India who consider themselves as Indians as much as they are Tibetans. They have reciprocated their gratitude to India by contributing to the Indian economy through their entrepreneurship and many of them bravely sacrificing their lives as gallant soldiers in the frontiers along with their Indian brothers guarding the Indian frontiers. This deep Indo-Tibetan kinship must find its apt expression in the form of active participation of Indian people in the Tibetan freedom movement. Indians ought to act with greater conviction and commitment towards the cause of Tibetan freedom movement.
Till 2019, the scene remained unchanged with regard to the Tibetan freedom movement in India. It continued to exist as a political campaign with humanitarian ramification, which didn’t percolate to the psyche of common Indian citizens. Those who were involved in the Tibetan freedom movement also didn’t emphasize on the significance of the participation of Indian citizens in this movement. The year 2020, stands out as a significant year for the Tibetan freedom movement; firstly, the year marred with uncertainties of Covid 19 pandemic brought the spotlight on the evils of communist Chinese regime in front of the world and secondly, this year saw the emergence of a true people’s movement in India in support of the peaceful freedom movement of Tibet.
Assam is the nerve centre of this people’s movement which began with vigorous awareness and sensitization amongst the masses regarding Tibet and the Tibetan freedom movement by a people’s forum named ‘Free Tibet – a voice from Assam’ since 2020. The forum led by Sri. Soumyadeep Datta, well known environment activist and writer (also the Regional Convener, Core Group for Tibetan Cause, Assam & Meghalaya) comprises of long time Tibet supporters, senior journalists, educationists, environment activists, writers, poets, artists, students and other prominent civil society representatives of Assam.
Free Tibet- a voice from Assam begun their journey with the vision to strengthen the Tibetan freedom movement in Assam and other Northeastern states through active participation of common people in it. The forum envisages to raise a people’s movement in India supporting the Tibetan freedom movement to get freedom for Tibet. This fresh spark of Tibetan freedom movement in the distant Northeastern India came to the forefront with a unique ‘Free Tibet – a voice from Assam’ stall held in the 33rd Guwahati Book Fair from 30th Dec 2020 – 10th Jan 2021, at Guwahati, Assam. The stall successfully spread the ethos of Tibetan freedom movement amongst the people of Assam and Northeastern India.
Along with this stall, the forum invited a 30 member Tibetan cultural troupe to perform in the 33rd Guwahati book fair in order to connect the people of Northeast India with the rich culture of Tibet and thus create awareness regarding the importance of the Tibetan freedom movement. The Tibetan cultural troupe enthralled the audience with their beautiful performances comprising of traditional dance and music of Tibet, these cultural performances elucidated the cultural similarities between Tibet and other Northeastern states including Assam, audience were able to establish the connect between the two countries clearly visible in similar folk musical instruments, similar forms of music and dance.
The Guwahati Book Fair being an important annual literary event for entire Northeast India, provided a huge opportunity in spreading the vibes of Tibetan freedom movement all throughout the Northeastern region through print, electronic and social media. The forum continued its steer through different activities to involve more people in the Tibetan freedom movement to raise a people’s movement in northeast India from its inception in 2020. The activities of the forum, well covered in media generated the necessary awareness about Tibet, its geographical, ecological, historical and cultural significance amongst the common citizens of Assam and Northeast India. Popular articles published by members of the forum along with educational tools published in vernacular language, webinars, lectures and other public interactions organized by the forum further strengthened the awareness and advocacy campaign in Northeast India.
The rising awareness about Tibet and the peaceful Tibetan freedom movement in this region consolidated support and participation of the greater society of Assam from across the state making way for a potential people’s movement in Assam and Northeast India. This wave of people’s participation swept Assam from the Southern bank of River Brahmaputra to all directions across the state. This people’s movement is making inroads into various ethnic communities of Assam and Northeast India, the support base growing amongst the common mass including youth, students, villagers, women and people from diverse walks of the society.
Tibet is often referred to as the water tower of Asia, several major rivers of Asia originate in the Tibetan plateau, making Tibet strategically significant for water security of India and Asian countries. The River Brahmaputra which drains across the length of Assam also finds its origin in the Himalayan glaciers of Tibet; it is known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet which flows downwards to Arunachal Pradesh and is called as River Siang from where it enters Assam as River Brahmaputra.
This river originating in Tibet flows downwards enriching one of the most thickly populated human inhabited regions in the world. This region also happens to be one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, well known for its rich biodiversity of global significance. Thus, the River Brahmaputra makes the economic, ecological and cultural lifeline for the Brahmaputra civilization which begins with Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet and encompasses the colorful celebration of life till the River Brahmaputra in Assam and beyond.
The communist Chinese regime in Tibet is causing irreparable damage to the fragile ecology of Tibet; forests, wildlife, meadows have been devastated beyond repair and the mindless damming of the Himalayan rivers originating in the Tibetan plateau threatens to jeopardizes the future ecological and economic security of the millions of people and other life forms in the downstream countries which includes the Brahmaputra civilization of Yarlung Tsangpo – Siang – Brahmaputra drainage area. This repressive regime with complete disregard to environment laws has ravaged the ecology of the highest plateau on the planet and they won’t stop at anything, their exploitative model is a sure recipe for ecological catastrophe of Asia which must be halted before it is too late.
The freedom of Tibet from the clutches of communist Chinese rule is indispensable for ecological security of Tibet which ensure a safe future for the Brahmaputra civilization. Communist China plays the card of regional hegemony deceitfully with this water supremacy, acting as an international bully for the downstream Asian Nations. This vital issue of water security for the thickly populated Asian countries has been skirted rather subtly by all political players till date.
These issues pertaining to communist China’s forceful political supremacy is closely connected with the Tibetan freedom movement. The cause of Tibetan freedom movement is not just a political campaign, it is an environment campaign with deep humanitarian implications. The grave reality regarding the devastation of Tibet’s environment along with the future ecological and livelihood security of the millions of people living in the neighbouring countries of Tibet have failed to draw the due attention and advocacy which it deserved.
For the very first time, this pertinent issue became an integral part of the Tibetan freedom movement in India because of the active advocacy of the forum, Fee Tibet – a voice from Assam. This forum, based in Assam is creating awareness and deeper understanding amongst the people of Assam and Northeast India about the ecological significance of Tibet, and the importance of the Tibetan freedom movement to save the rivers like Siang/ Brahmaputra from communist China’s design of ecological catastrophe which looms large at its origin in Tibet.
Free Tibet – a voice from Assam have been working to establish a closer cultural connection between Tibet and Northeast India by facilitating a better understanding of the Brahmaputra civilization through various activities and publications. Awareness campaigns by the forum regarding Brahmaputra civilization so far have procured support and greater participation from people of Northeast India in the Tibetan freedom movement, people feel the close kinship between the cultures and they are eager to know more about the beautiful heritage and history of Tibet.
Through its continuous efforts and steadfast commitment, Free Tibet – a voice from Assam has given birth to the most dynamic reflection of Indian participation in the peaceful Tibetan freedom movement in India so far. His Holiness carried the spirit of Tibetan freedom movement to every place wherever he’s been to in his 63 years of life in exile, but this very essence of Tibetan freedom movement arrived in India soil and it spread to other parts of the world through the gateway of Assam and Northeast India in March 1959. The rise of a people’s movement in India’s North-eastern states for freedom of Tibet seems like a karmic connection.
This people’s movement of Northeast India led by ‘Free Tibet – a voice from Assam’ sets precedence to other parts of India and the world at large, showing them a way to extend meaningful support to the Tibetan cause. The Tibetan freedom movement is a fight between truth against evil and India as a nation has always led others with the light of truth and wisdom. Every Indian will willingly strengthen the Tibetan freedom movement with their participation when they become aware of these realities. Free Tibet – a voice from Assam has lit the torch, the emergence of this people’s movement in North-eastern India is a flicker of hope for the 6 million Tibetans. The Tibetan freedom movement has finally found a strong footing in India, this people’s movement from Brahmaputra civilization sets a new trend, a new direction for the supporters of the Tibetan freedom movement from across the world. Bhod Gyalo!!
for feedbacks: novanita_21@yahoo.co.in
pics: from different sources of the ‘Free Tibet’ movement
(The writer is an environment activist and coordinator of ‘Free Tibet -a voice from Assam’)