The opinion piece below was sent to dorjeshugden.com for publication. We accept submissions from the public, please send in your articles to [email protected].
By Kay Beswick
Is this the beginning of the end? Since Trump took office, the American embassy in Delhi, India has stopped accepting the Tibetan yellow book as a valid travel document. The yellow book is an identity document and refugee passport issued by the Indian government to the Tibetans. Tibetans use this book to travel abroad or as an identity document signifying they are refugees. With this new policy, it means that over three decades of America accepting the Tibetan yellow book have come to an end.
These days, no matter how strong a Tibetan’s accompanying documents are, the second they present their yellow book to the visa officer in the US embassy, their application is immediately rejected and instantly returned to its Tibetan bearer. Our Tibetan source went to the American embassy in Delhi with his own yellow book to confirm this for himself. He said it is because the US government knows what the Tibetans have been doing. That is, most yellow book holders travel to the US and upon arrival, throw away their passports and apply for asylum. Young Tibetan girls have intentionally overstayed and gotten married to American men, while young Tibetan guys have intentionally overstayed and ended up working in restaurants and other menial jobs.
As a result of America closing their doors to the Tibetans, more Tibetans are aiming for Europe which is still easier to get into compared to America, but it is not as easy as before.
Nowadays, to get to Europe, it costs Indian Rupees 24 lakhs (approximately US$36,000) which is paid to agents in Delhi. These agents help Tibetans to acquire fake Indian passports, which they then present to their connections in various embassies to get a visa to get to Europe. On top of that, Tibetans are no longer able to fly directly into Europe as they risk rejection at the immigration counters. Instead, they have to go a long, roundabout way unlike before. First, Tibetans on their fake Indian passports travel to Bangkok. They remain there for 15 days, where they throw away their Indian passport and another agent gets them a Thai passport. They use this to travel to Turkey where they remain for another few days, before traveling to Greece. After spending a few days in Greece, they travel to Spain. Once they are in Western Europe, it becomes easy for them to travel anywhere else and many of them end up in France. The entire journey takes about one month to complete, whereas in the past they could have flown from India directly to France. Some Tibetans who do not have enough money to complete the journey, find themselves stuck in Turkey or Greece until they can raise the funds.
To fund this journey, many Tibetans, especially the older ones, are selling their homes in the settlements. If they have enough money, the whole family goes; if they do not have enough money, they send just their children. This exodus from the settlements is the result of Tibetans losing hope and confidence in the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA; Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala). Tibetans are worried about what will happen when His Holiness the Dalai Lama passes which could be any time now. They feel that the Indian government might kick them out or force them to become Indian citizens. Now with China and India becoming closer, the Indian government is starting to snub the Dalai Lama and Tibetans; even while the Dalai Lama is still alive, more restrictions are being placed on him and Tibetans. Faced with such an uncertain future in India, Tibetans these days want to either return back to Tibet, or leave for Nepal or Europe. In the past, this list would have included America but even America has now become off-limits for Tibetans because the Trump administration does not like how Tibetans sneak into the US as they have been doing for decades.
If Tibetans are unable to get to Europe, then they will try Canada, Australia, etc. Our sources tell us that the emigrating Tibetans will keep trying anywhere until they find a place that will accept them. In the worst case scenario, they will go to Nepal because Nepal has more freedom. They say it is not because the Nepali government gives them more freedom, but because it is out of the control of the CTA. Worse comes to worst, if all else fails, then they will apply for Indian citizenship. Apparently, most Tibetans in the Tibetan settlement in Shillong, India have given up their Tibetan refugee card and are accepting to be Indian citizens. They do not want to be subjected to the CTA any longer.
So it is very clear that Tibetans in India have lost hope in securing Tibet back. For over 60 years, the Dalai Lama has promised them that they will return to Tibet but people are not believing this anymore. This can be very clearly and obviously seen in the Tibetan schools. In the past, the schools would be full of Tibetan children and the school administrators turned down enrollment applications from children of other nationalities. These days, there are very few Tibetan children and the classrooms are filled with Nepali, Ladakhi and Indian children. The CTA even keeps a few special classes full of Tibetan children to be used as a “show unit” to raise funds. In Dharamsala, the main Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) school now has such low attendance rates that they combine the Tibetan children into a few classes to show off to foreign aid workers and tourists to continue to seek refugee aid for schools. They do not want to show foreigners who give aid that school attendance has dropped dramatically; if these foreigners see there is a reduced need for aid due to smaller classes, it may result in the CTA losing financial aid which they are afraid of. Tibetans are famous for living off free foreign aid by tugging at the heart strings of foreigners, feigning lives as impoverished refugees in order to gain their sympathy. The fact is that things in Tibet have improved dramatically and many Tibetans now prefer to stay in Tibet. They are no longer crossing over into India and joining the Tibetan settlements; in fact, knowing life in Tibet is better, many Tibetans in India have returned to Tibet. The Tibetan government-in-exile do not want people to know this as this does not reflect well on them at all. It means they have not done their job well, because Tibetans are leaving and new ones are not coming anymore.
At the Tibetan government-in-exile (CTA) in Dharamsala, things are not any better. The CTA has been posting flyers asking Tibetans to join and work for them because they have lost many of their staff and very few people want to work in the Tibetan government because they are embarrassed by all the corruption, scandals, failures, in-fighting and general failure to achieve their goal of getting a free or autonomous Tibet back. Many Tibetan government staff have quit and left, and the remaining staff are finding it hard to replace these people.
Nechung had wrongly and dangerously advised His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to remain in Tibet during the political turmoil of 1959. Had Nechung’s advice been followed, it is likely that the 14th Dalai Lama would have been harmed. Instead, the Dalai Lama followed Dorje Shugden’s insistent advice that the Dalai Lama leave Tibet immediately for India. Nechung has given advice to Dalai Lama on many occasions that has been wrong. In 1985, Nechung told Dalai Lama that everyone will return to Tibet within five years. Dalai Lama announced this to the large crowd gathered for Kalacakra in Bodhgaya and obviously it was wrong. Everyone was so happy but unfortunately Nechung was wrong.
So Tibetans in India are definitely not doing well. All of the failed prophecies from Nechung, promises from the Dalai Lama and scandals of the Tibetan government-in-exile have made Tibetans lose hope, pushing them to emigrate from India as quickly as possible. Our Tibetan source in Delhi said the media often reports that there are 80,000 to 90,000 Tibetan refugees in India but in reality, the number is much lower. The 24 Tibetan settlements throughout India are quiet these days, especially with many Tibetans selling up and going abroad or returning to Tibet. In Delhi’s Majnu Ka Tilla Tibetan settlement for example, the population is roughly 30% Tibetan with the rest of the people being Indian or Nepali.
Even the older Tibetans, who are the traditional bastions of loyalty to the CTA, are losing confidence in the Tibetan leadership. These days, they are saying that the CTA do not do anything except create problems. Once a year, when the Tibetan Parliament and Cabinet meet in Dharamsala, the older Tibetans have learned to anticipate problems and issues arising from the meetings. There is always one issue or another that crops up at these meetings, that creates problems for the people. This year, for example, was the anti-Sikyong protests. So the older Tibetans are saying that the CTA meets once a year to stir up trouble for all the exiled Tibetans. Furthermore, older Tibetans in Majnu Ka Tilla are saying that the CTA has not given them anything; instead, it is Tibetans who have to give to their government, who only take and take. The older generation recognize that everything they have comes from their own efforts with no assistance from their government.
Compounding this pervasive feeling of hopelessness and frustration is the fact there are very few tourists visiting Dharamsala nowadays, and the hill town has fallen very quiet. It has gotten so bad that to raise funds and bring in tourist dollars, the CTA is making His Holiness the Dalai Lama easily accessible. Even ordinary Tibetans can see that the Dalai Lama has been giving audiences and spending time with basically every foreign group that travels to Dharamsala. First, it was the Mongolians and then the Danish, and so on. This is because if tourists know they are guaranteed an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama if they go to Dharamsala, more tourists will go there and therefore spend money there. Basically the CTA have been parading His Holiness the Dalai Lama around to raise money. It is sad it has come down to this.
On several occasions recently, it was very noticeable that the Dalai Lama has been getting extremely tired from all the travelling that the CTA arranges for him.
The CTA have not been helping matters by refusing to give up their underhanded tactics. Recently, the Indian Home Ministry were extremely unhappy with Samdhong Rinpoche because he does not follow their procedures and is very sneaky. Apparently Samdhong Rinpoche was arranging for the Dalai Lama to visit the border of Tibet but was sneaky in the arrangements and kept the government in the dark. The Indian government came to know of his plans and were furious. After this incident, the India government started monitoring the top CTA leaders’ movements more closely. This is not the first time we have heard of this. Recently Samdhong Rinpoche secretly visited China to meet with the Chinese government without the approval of India. When questioned, he lied and said he did not visit China. It became a big debacle because while Samdhong Rinpoche was incommunicado (because he was in China), Lobsang Sangay clearly confirmed that Samdhong Rinpoche did visit China. Samdhong Rinpoche however, denied it. Samdhong Rinpoche and Lobsang Sangay came out of the debacle looking silly because they both ‘work’ for the same exiled Tibetan government; although they are counterparts handpicked to represent His Holiness the Dalai Lama, they cannot coordinate their information so that it matches.
It seems that at every level, things are going from bad to worse for the Tibetan leadership who have spent 60 years bringing their community to ruin. Instead of empowering Tibetans to become self-subsistent, they taught Tibetans to become totally reliant on foreign aid and handouts by playing the role of poor refugees. Instead of focusing on making progress in their political goals, they encouraged violence, in-fighting and drove a wedge between their people to keep themselves in power, so they could exploit their vulnerable community for financial gain. The hopelessness that the Tibetans now feel cannot be blamed on anyone else but the CTA, who as the government are solely responsible for their people’s welfare. What we are witnessing today is simply the culmination of six decades of karma which the CTA accumulated by destroying their people’s unity and future. If the CTA thinks that the situation will improve, they are sorely mistaken. Things will not soon improve because the CTA are the same as they have always been and so this is merely the beginning, with no end in sight.
English
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Angry and disgusted Tibetan
April 24, 2018
There are so many things the Tibetan govt is hiding from outsiders because they want to keep collecting the aid money to enjoy for themselves. Every Tibetan knows this and keeps quiet not to hurt or offend the Dalai Lama. But more Tibetans will speak up. 😒
Tibetan govt in exile cannot speak up against Dorje Shugden anymore to distract the public from their wrongdoings. Now they will have to humble down because the Indian govt is supporting them less and snubbing them.
SabrinaS
April 24, 2018
It is so shameful that the Dalai Lama, the emanation of Avalokiteshvara, could be reduced to such sad state of affairs. Someone to be revered as a “Living Buddha”, now a puppet to entice tourists? If this is the case then what value does CTA holds?
After 60 years of such generous donations/sponsorships from sympathisers, the Tibetans In Exile could have accomplished so much but due to the selfishness and self serving policies, only the top enjoys the luxury but the rest are kept in state of poverty to fit the image of “refugees”. They could have nurtured such a strong bastion of Buddhist practitioners to fortify their position but instead used the Dalai Lama’s holy image on such petty money generating schemes. Instead of uniting their people to build up their strength in (Tibetan lineage of) Buddhism which attracts worldwide spirituality with wisdom and compassion, the Leaders chose instead to segregate and divide their people by placing a ban on the 400 years old authentic practice of Dorje Shugden as distraction to their failures in delivering the promised return to Tibet. Now with the tide changing, instead of working against China, the Tibetan Leaders should be seeking ways to work towards Dalai Lama’s wish of autonomy. All wasted chances. Instead of relying on Nechung’s prophecies, I think they would have done so much better asking for Dorje Shugden’s advices which had always been proven accurate. Not only did the Tibetan Leaders lose a country but now they lose their people too.
Tenzin Tsundue
April 25, 2018
Samten Lhamo
April 25, 2018
It sure looks like both China and India are determined to achieve successful reconciliation, something that will mark a new milestone in the history of India-China relations. This will continue to impede the Tibetan leadership’s attempts to spew anti-China rhetoric and propaganda. India already began its clampdown on the Tibetans in March, when they banned key Tibetan events, including cancelling celebrations marking the Tibetans’ 60 years in exile, which were going to be held in Delhi.
India changed her strategy after recognising that a hard-line approach with China did not work. Rather, there is much more to gain if Asia’s two giants come together for the common goal of mutual benefit. If all goes well, India may even be the one cutting a deal with China to allow the Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet. After all, the Tibetan leadership in-exile have failed miserably in making progress in this regard. Nonetheless, we know for sure that India will no longer tolerate nonsense from Tibetans in-exile that would jeopardize their relations with China any further.
untomable
April 25, 2018
When you finished read this post, you will totally hopeless to CTA, feeling sad about our own people cannot take care our own people but making a lot of disharmony …… and hopeless
Tsering Wangyal
April 27, 2018
The beginning of the end for Tibetan leadership in India.
The Dalai Lama and Tibetan govt in-exile better be on the alert now. For years they have met politicians, organizations and private individuals while talking negatively about China and painted an ugly picture of China wherever they went to get sympathetic votes and more free aid in dollars. It didn’t work, as the whole world wants to be China’s friend now, even the Indians. Tibet was no Shangrila and the reason they even lost their country back in 1959 was due to their own ineffective and corrupt leadership. It’s their own fault. For the last 60 years living Tax free in India they have still not secured their country back. It shows their lack of abilities and ineptness. Now Prime Minister Modi has landed in China to meet the powerful President Xi. One of the agendas to be discussed is the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans in India. Definitely China will work something out with Modi against the freeloading Tibetan refugees. High time too. Many Indians on social media have called for the Dalai Lama and Tibetans to return home as they have overstayed their welcome in India. Why should India stick their necks out any further for the useless Tibetans? That is how the Indians have rightly complained.
Now with Modi getting closer to China and President Xi, this spells doomsday for the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans. For years the Tibetans have been meddling in Indian politics and insulting China and now the day of reckoning is near. The Tibetan govt in-exile are corrupt, useless, self-serving, schismatic and hateful. For years they have spoken against Dorje Shugden practitioners, segregating them and inciting violence against them in India. Now their karma has returned. The Tibetan govt in-exile likes to call Dorje Shugden pracitioners ‘Chinese spies’ and the funny thing is now the Dalai Lama is nearly begging China to return to Tibet/China. Who is the Chinese spy now?
Now the Dalai Lama and his exiled govt better keep quiet about China and be humble. They better remain silent on the unjust treatment of Dorje Shugden people and ‘allow’ religious freedom. They are losing power and losing support fast. Now the time has come they will have to swallow their own bitter pills they so happily doled out to others previously. Tibetan govt leaders better keep quiet and be humble now. The Tibetan govt in-exile should not have segregated Dorje Shugden people. Now Dorje Shugden people should go and become friends with China and return to Tibet to live also. The Dalai Lama wants to return to Tibet so bad but China does not want him. Too bad. India does not want him either. Too bad. Should have been friends with Dorje Shugden people in order to have more support in the hundreds of thousands. They should not have made trouble. Too bad the Tibetan leadership is so corrupt. So narrow minded, they trampled on their own people’s religious rights. Now we will see who wins. The Tibetan leadership or Dorje Shugden. I have a feeling Dorje Shugden will win.
Karma bhu
April 27, 2018
Did His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognize the wrong Karmapa?
The Karmapas and Sharmapas are spiritually inseparable. Both are fellow holders of the 900-year-old Karma Kagyu lineage, a spiritual tradition that predates the lineage of the Dalai Lamas by over 200 years. They are also responsible for the recognition of each other’s reincarnations. However, in 1992, Tai Situ recognized a Karmapa candidate different from the candidate chosen by the Sharmapa. He effectively overrode centuries of tradition amongst the four Karma Kagyu regents. Tai Situ went ahead and enthroned his own candidate without the Sharmapa’s approval, and received the Dalai Lama’s approval. Therefore, the Dalai Lama may have endorsed the wrong Karmapa.
Due to the Dalai Lama’s endorsement, the Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala acknowledged Tai Situ’s candidate, Ogyen Trinley, as the 17th Karmapa, hosting him at the Gelug lineage’s Gyuto Tantric monastery. They even side-lined the Sharmapa’s candidate, Thaye Dorje. The world’s media were also misled to believe that “the Dalai Lama’s Karmapa” is the sole and legitimate candidate for the position. Until today, thanks to the Tibetan leadership, there is no end in sight to the rift that the Karmapa issue caused within the Karma Kagyu tradition. This long-standing feud occurred because of the Tibetan leadership’s political interference in spiritual matters.
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1524833812.mp4
Sharling Dhardonite
April 27, 2018
Attention Sharling Dhardon and Lobsang Sangye of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala,
India and China getting closer and Tibetan leadership has been sidelined because of this situation. You will have less support now to keep on your bad works and corrupted methods.
1. Too bad you have been speaking about Dorje Shugden negatively along with creating websites and producing books against this practice. You have made the Dorje Shugden people suffer for two decades. Now this suffering is coming to an end. You will lose your support base to keep abusing people because of their religion.
2. You claim you are democratic. What democratic govt will print books, make websites and speak against any religious path and segregate the people due to religion as you have done? You are not democratic. You are not decent human beings at all.
3. You have not accomplished anything for the welfare of the Tibetan people in India and they are all escaping to USA, Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia and Nepal. You have failed and are you not ashamed? How can you still hold your positions and hurt your own people? Tibetans in India are running away. Your schools are empty, no new Tibetans joining the monasteries, you cannot find new staff for your government in Dharamsala.
You have divided your people using the Dorje Shugden issue and now your karma is coming back. India is ignoring you.
You better keep quiet, humble down and regret what you did. All the thousands of Dorje Shugden followers could have been your friends and supporters and you alienated them with your undemocratic policies. Too bad.
In the future you will not be able to talk about Dorje Shugden and wherever you go people will look down in disgust at you and point at you and know you are the culprits of destroying the unity of the Tibetan people. For the rest of your life, you will have the stigma of your corruption and you will have nowhere to hide your face. You will be hated for the rest of your lives.
You know there is nothing wrong with practicing Dorje Shugden but you spoke against him to further your political career by appearing to be in the right camp. Truthfully you are not monks, nuns or scholars to know anything about Dorje Shugden. You know nothing of Buddhism. You should just keep quiet. Who do you think you are ordering people and monks around regarding their spiritual practice?
You both will live to see how the Tibetans will hate you, scorn you and admonish you. You will have nowhere to hide for the rest of your life because you will be seen as hated criminals. Shame on you. People will know what you did for the rest of your life.
You should not have created problems for the peaceful practitioners of Dorje Shugden. They all still remain in peace and will pray for you both but too bad you have divided the people who could have been your friends. Too bad you ruined your reputations for the sake of money and power.
Dorje Shugden practice will grow in the near future and continue to grow. You will see. You cannot fight a protector. You are just mere corrupted humans.
Yoko YY
April 28, 2018
Wow Wow wow!!! I absolutely agree and like what u’ve said the above! I support what u wrote 100% and they are absolutely correct! TOO BAD is the words for disgusting Sharling Dhardon and her partner in crime the sikyong, her lover. Both ugly money and power sucker. Stupid tibetans who supported and have been supporting the CTA will also live to see the mess they created. They will live long to suffer for what they have done to all dorje shugden people. For the sake of gaining power and money, they malign dorje shugden publicly and caused confusion, hatred and disharmony among own people. Which government does this to separate their own people? only stupid tibetans do. I’m sorry, Tibetans really cannot think big and far. Thats why after 60 years they are still in exile. Sigh. 😱
Palden
April 27, 2018
His Holiness on Why a Woman Should Be Very Attractive to Be a Candidate for the 15th Dalai Lama
How come a spiritual leader is commenting on the value of women based on their looks? This is not funny, not intelligent and not politically correct. It is wrong. It is debasing and makes people lose respect for a monk such as Dalai Lama for talking about human beings in this manner.
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1524861358.mp4
Karma
May 1, 2018
I am very shocked about this!
Why would anyone say that if a woman is not “beautiful”, she is not useful?? On top, it is the Dalai Lama saying this!
phyag na rlangs pa
April 27, 2018
Everyday, the world becomes a smaller place for His Holiness because of the CTA’s poor governance, this is so sad.
French president Emmanuel Macron: Meeting the Dalai Lama would spark ‘crisis’ with China
From Tibet Sun / AFP
Washington DC, US, 26 April 2018
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday rejected the prospect of meeting with the Dalai Lama, saying doing so without consulting Beijing first would trigger a “crisis” with China’s government.
Macron, speaking at a town hall with George Washington University students in the US capital at the tail end of his state visit, said he met in Paris with the “very inspiring” exiled Tibetan spiritual leader when Macron was a candidate.
“Now I’m president of the French republic. If I meet him it will create indeed a crisis with China,” Macron said.
And doing so “without any precondition,” just to send a signal to China, would be “useless and counterproductive,” he said.
“Is it good for my people if I have a sort of countermeasures coming from China” as a result of the meeting? “For sure no.”
But Macron, fresh from a rare address to lawmakers in the US Congress, also opened the door for deeper engagement on the issue.
“If France could be useful in order to fix the situation between the Dalai Lama and his people, and China, I will do my best,” he said, adding that he perceives “some early signals” that Chinese President Xi Jinping may be open to addressing the issue.
“I hope so for China, I hope so for the Dalai Lama, I hope so for Buddhist people,” he added.
Beijing accuses the Nobel Peace Prize laureate of seeking Tibetan independence through “spiritual terrorism.”
The Dalai Lama says he seeks only greater autonomy.
https://www.tibetsun.com/news/2018/04/26/meeting-dalai-lama-would-spark-crisis-with-china-macron
https://www.afp.com/en/news/826/macron-meeting-dalai-lama-would-spark-crisis-china-doc-14b9zd1
phyag na rlangs pa
April 27, 2018
Also this. It’s blatantly clear that Lobsang Sangay, Dhardon Sharling and the rest of the CTA goons care nothing about Tibetans or Tibetan culture. Their Americanisation of Tibetans-in-exile for favouring US funding MUST STOP!
CTA Applying Double Standards on Tibetans Seeking Indian Citizen?
February 24, 2018
According to an article from a Tibetan professor, the Tibetan government in exile is alleged to be seemingly applying double standards over the issue of Tibetans seeking Indian citizen. The JNU professor accused in the article that the Central Tibetan Administration while favouring Tibetans seeking citizenship in the West, it does not favour Tibetans seeking Indian citizenship.
“The government-in-exile seems to be applying double standards. On the one hand, it has been encouraging Tibetans living in other countries, especially those in the West, to take up the citizenship of their host countries and labels them as Tibetan Ambassadors to distant lands. On the other hand, it does not favour Tibetans in India adopting Indian citizenship. This double standard is creating disquiet and division among the Tibetan community in exile.” writes Dr. Yeshi Choedon in an article on IDSA.
Following the failed Tibetan uprising against the Chinese invaders in 1959, thousands of Tibetans followed His Holiness the Dalai Lama into refuge in India. Under the support of Indian government, the Tibetan administration then led by His Holiness developed separate Tibetan settlements and schools across India, enabling the preservation and propagation of the distinct Tibetan culture and traditions in exile over the last sixty years!
However, since the Delhi high court ruled in favour of an India born Tibetan refugee seeking Indian passport, the government of India has okayed Tibetans to seek Indian citizenship as per the Indian Citizenship Act (Amendment) of 1986 which allows for the acquiring of Indian citizenship by anyone born in India between January 26, 1950, and July 1, 1987. However, Government of India further notified those Tibetans to give up all the privileges as refugees, essentially robing off their right to dwell in the Tibetan settlements across India, rendering them homeless once again!
According to the article, CTA had maintained a neutral position in all this, it has also been known to have actively discouraged Tibetans seeking Indian citizen. It also argues that while India eased the process of foreign travel for Tibetan refugees in India recently, in an effort to discourage them from applying for Indian citizenship, such a policy could also enable Tibetans to migrate abroad, rendering the Tibetan settlements in India abandoned, ultimately weakening the Tibetan struggle.
“Another issue to ponder is whether those Tibetans who migrated to other parts of the world surrendered the house and field allotted to them in the Tibetan settlements in India and whether those getting a pension from the Tibetan government-in-exile surrendered their pension once they started getting pension and allowance from their new host countries. As the Government of India, through its four conditions, is proactive in depriving all these facilities and privileges to those Tibetan refugees applying for Indian citizenship, it requires to consider this issue as well.” the article added.
http://www.tibetanjournal.com/cta-applying-double-standards-tibetans-seeking-indian-citizen/
The Unintended Consequences of India’s Policy on Citizenship for Tibetan Refugees
February 23, 2018
Most Tibetan refugees arrived in India after the failed revolt against Chinese rule in March 1959. After the defeat of the Tibetan army at the Battle of Chamdo and the signing of the 17 point agreement of May 1951 set the stage for China’s occupation of Tibet, the Tibetan Government did make attempts to adjust to the situation. However, the unrest started after the realisation that China was satisfied not just with the occupation of Tibetan territory but was aiming at the systematic destruction of Tibetan civilization and its complete sinicization. A full-scale national uprising against China’s rule erupted on 10 March 1959, but it was crushed by Chinese military might. This event led to the flight of the Dalai Lama and around 8000 Tibetans, seeking refuge in India and other neighbouring South Asian countries.
The uniqueness of Tibetan refugees is that they sought refuge not only for personal safety but also for the preservation and protection of their culture and religion which was under relentless attack in their homeland under China’s rule. Out of the total Tibetan diasporic community of 128,944 worldwide, around 94,203 are currently based in India. Unlike many other refugee-hosting countries, India did not adopt the policy of integrating Tibetans into mainstream Indian society. Rather, it facilitated the preservation and promotion of their distinctive culture, tradition and identity by setting up separate Tibetan settlements in various parts of India, established separate schools for the Tibetan children and allowed the functioning of the Tibetan government-in-exile to manage their affairs. Most of the Tibetan refugees in India are residing in 39 major and minor settlements, and are involved in either agriculture or agro-industries or handicrafts for their livelihood. There are also many Tibetan refugees living outside these settlements.
The Government of India has given autonomous power to the government-in-exile to manage Tibetan settlements and schools in India. With the generous support and assistance of India and international aid agencies, the Tibetan refugees in India have not only attained self-sustenance but also successfully reconstructed their social, political and religious institutions in exile. Due to these achievements, Tibetan refugees are considered the ‘most successful’ refugee community in the world.
Today, three generations of Tibetan refugees are living in India. The first generation comprises mainly of those who came from Tibet in the 1950s and 1960s. The second generation are between 20 and 50 years old and were mostly born and educated in India. And the third generation is that of children of school going age.
Challenges
Although Tibetan refugees are successfully rehabilitated and resettled in India, they are confronted with a series of new challenges. Some of the challenges have emanated from the very success of the rehabilitation and resettlement policy. Two such problems are: 1) educated but unemployed Tibetan youth, and, 2) difficulties of travelling abroad for studies, visiting relatives and other social engagements.
The unemployment problem of educated Tibetan youth is the offshoot of the remarkable achievement of transforming a largely illiterate society (in the modern sense of the term) to a fully literate society within two generations. According to the Second Tibetan Demographic Survey of 2009, the general literacy rate is 79.4 per cent, and the effective literacy rate is 82.4 per cent. As the number of Tibetan youth with a graduate degree has increased, the government-in-exile could not employ them all in its establishment. The youth do not wish to follow the older generation’s occupation of sweater-selling or running small shops in seasonal Tibetan markets in Indian cities. They are confronted with the challenge of finding employment according to their qualification and skill. According to the Second Tibetan Demographic Survey, over 17 per cent of the total workforce population is unemployed or underemployed.
Their status of statelessness disqualifies Tibetan youth from many job opportunities in India. Further, any economic activities outside the Tibetan settlements encounter uncertainty and insecurity as Tibetans neither have the right to own businesses or obtain a licence to engage in business activities nor are allowed to own or buy land. Further, they are not entitled to secure bank loans. The number of unemployed youth has increased over the years with many of them succumbing to drug addiction in the absence of gainful employment.
Another major challenge relates to acquiring travel documents for travelling abroad. Tibetans wish to go abroad to meet their relatives or to study or for the purpose of running the monasteries spread over various parts of the world. The Government of India issues an “Identity Certificate” (IC) for Tibetans in lieu of a passport for travelling abroad. Apart from the long and complicated process of procuring the IC, they are also required to apply for a permit to exit the country as well as for re-entry so that they could come back to India. Tibetans with this travel document have encountered problems with immigration officials at various airports as many officials are unfamiliar with this kind of travel document.
Issue of Indian Citizenship
Due to the practical problems of getting jobs and earning a livelihood as well as difficulties in travelling abroad on an Identity Certificate, the issue of Tibetans applying for Indian citizenship has gained currency in recent years, especialy after the enactment of the Indian Citizenship Act (Amendment) of 1986 which allows for the acquiring of Indian citizenship by anyone born in India between January 26, 1950, and July 1, 1987. The amendment has made a large section of the second and third generations of Tibetan refugees eligible for Indian citizenship.
Although there are no formal restrictions imposed by the Tibetan government-in-exile on Tibetan refugees seeking Indian citizenship, it has actively discouraged them from taking this step. There is also a strong feeling amongst the Tibetan community that taking Indian citizenship would weaken the Tibetan movement and tantamount to giving up the hope of a Free Tibet. As a result, they condemn those of their compatriots who have adopted Indian citizenship. But, there are still many Tibetans who would like to take up Indian citizenship for the practical reasons mentioned above.
In 2010, when an India-born Tibetan woman challenged India’s Ministry of External Affairs in the Delhi High Court for denying her an Indian passport, the court ruled in her favour. When there was no change in the Government of India’s stand despite the court ruling, another case was filed in the court by a Tibetan man in September 2016. Once again, the court ruled in his favour. This time, the court directed the Ministry of External Affairs to treat all Tibetans who meet the criteria for citizenship by birth as Indians and issue them Indian passports. This became the Government of India’s policy from March 2017. However, the Government soon added riders to this policy in June 2017. It listed the following four conditions for Tibetans seeking Indian citizenship: 1) they are required to get their Registration Certificate (RC) and Identity Certificate cancelled; 2) they should not be staying in designated Tibetan refugee settlements; 3) they should submit an undertaking that they no longer enjoy the benefits offered by the Tibetan government-in-exile; and, 4) they should submit a declaration that they no longer enjoy any privileges, including subsidies, by virtue of being RC holders.
The government-in-exile has officially adopted a neutral position on this development. Its president, Dr Lobsang Sangay, stated that “The decision to apply for Indian or any other country’s citizenship is a personal choice. If you are eligible, you can apply. The Tibetan administration has no right nor does it intend to interfere in a person’s fundamental rights.”
The conditions imposed by the Government of India and the neutral position adopted by the Tibetan government-in-exile have put the Tibetans in India in a dilemma. It amounts to requiring them to leave their homes in the Tibetan settlements where they were born and grew up, and become homeless once again. The fact is that Tibetans desire to take Indian citizenship for the purposes of career, livelihood, and ease of travel abroad. That is, they wish to take Indian citizenship for instrumental purposes rather than because of disaffection towards the Tibetan freedom movement or any policy difference within the Tibetan community in exile.
The government-in-exile seems to be applying double standards. On the one hand, it has been encouraging Tibetans living in other countries, especially those in the West, to take up the citizenship of their host countries and labels them as Tibetan Ambassadors to distant lands. On the other hand, it does not favour Tibetans in India adopting Indian citizenship. This double standard is creating disquiet and division among the Tibetan community in exile.
The latest policy of the Government of India is aimed at easing the regulations on Tibetan refugees for travel and study abroad. It has been reported that this new policy was also aimed at discouraging Tibetans from applying for Indian passports. Although this move might discourage Tibetans from applying for Indian passports, it would, however, make it easier for them to leave the Tibetan settlements and migrate to other countries. Once they manage to go abroad, many of them would try to get, if not citizenship, at least residential permits. This has been the everyday practice among Tibetan refugees to date. Once they manage to become residents or citizens in Western countries, they would get pension or allowance from the host governments. Thus, while India’s easing of regulations on travel abroad may dissuade Tibetan refugees from applying for Indian passport, there is no way to stop them from becoming citizens of other countries. So the question to ponder is: how does this serves the Tibetan national movement and preservation of Tibetan civilization.
Another issue to ponder is whether those Tibetans who migrated to other parts of the world surrendered the house and field allotted to them in the Tibetan settlements in India and whether those getting a pension from the Tibetan government-in-exile surrendered their pension once they started getting pension and allowance from their new host countries. As the Government of India, through its four conditions, is proactive in depriving all these facilities and privileges to those Tibetan refugees applying for Indian citizenship, it requires to consider this issue as well.
Policy Options
It seems to be obvious that the four conditions for acquiring Indian citizenship as well as the new regulations to ease the travel abroad of Tibetan refugees could have a negative consequence in terms of dismantling Tibetan settlements which are nerve centres for the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization. Further, the notion that acquiring Indian citizenship would dilute the Tibetan movement is not a convincing argument as the Tibetans in other parts of the world have retained their Tibetan identity and commitment to the Tibetan cause intact despite adopting the host countries’ citizenship.
The government-in-exile needs to take a proactive role in assisting Tibetans who desire to acquire Indian citizenship for livelihood and other instrumental purposes. From the long-term perspective, it makes sense to preserve Tibetan settlements intact, as the Tibetan diasporic communities all over the world regard India as their ‘second homeland’. Many of the second and third generations of Tibetans were born and raised in these settlements in India. Tibetans abroad not only keep in regular touch with their relatives in India but also visit their former schools and institutions in India. They also come for pilgrimage, visiting not only Tibetan monasteries and different Buddhist sites in India but also to reconnect with their memories of the life they spent in these settlements. So, for the preservation of the Tibetan civilization as well as for the sustenance of the Tibetan freedom movement, it makes eminent good sense to keep the existing Tibetan settlements intact and maintain the vibrancy of the community in these settlements alive. Given all this, the hands-off policy of the Tibetan government-in-exile on the citizenship issue is untenable.
For its part, the Government of India needs to rethink its four conditions as well as the relaxation of rules with regard to Tibetans travelling abroad. India has invested nearly six decades in these Tibetan settlements and in the preservation of the Tibetan civilization in general. The rest of the world, especially the Buddhist communities in various parts of the world, appreciates the Indian contribution in making the Tibetan refugee a most successful refugee in the world. To improve the conditions of Tibetans in these settlements, the Government of India needs to redouble efforts to implement the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy of 2014 which it adopted in consultation with the Tibetan government-in-exile. The Government of India could project these thriving Tibetan settlements at the international level as a model for post-conflict reconstruction of war-devastated societies and try to project its expertise to acquire a greater role in United Nations’ post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding activities with local ownership. In effect, both the Government of India and the Tibetan government-in-exile need to adopt a long-term perspective and rethink their policy towards Tibetans acquiring Indian citizenship.
C. Yoder
April 28, 2018
Time has proven the CTA put no effort to bring their people back to the homeland, failed to take care of the welfare of their people and give zero contribution to India. Tibetan people in exile are so disappointed with empty promises made by CTA and schism created by their own government who called themselves democratic. People are tired, mentality and physically depressed and desperately looking for a way out.
While the Dalai Lama is getting older, more and more people are leaving Tibet in exile because they do not see future and do not have faith in CTA taking care of them when the Dalai Lama has entered clear light. When Tibetan people in exile people are seeking opportunities to become other nationality, it says a lot about how terrible and unreliable the CTA is.
Tsering
April 29, 2018
What a shame to the CTA that they have to use Dalai Lama to such extend to which by right they should protect him. This obviously show that CTA is incapable to sustain and mange. Once Dalai Lama is gone CTA is down and unfortunately the Tibetans will live in the dark because of CTA never really work to benefit and protect their people but just for themselves.
Joo Won
April 29, 2018
I am feeling sad for lay and average Tibetans especially those who do not have enough money and resources to get themselves out of India, out of CTA’s control. 60 years ago all keep their hope, money and direct all their energy to returning to Tibet. They are losing hope day by day and year by year, finally come to this stage, they almost leave with nothing but disappointment, what’s worst, many of them do not have enough money to get themselves out. They should kick out the corrupted CTA long before this worse state happens.
CTA is not sad or suffer at all, the Tibetan leaders can always go to another country, almost all of them have either passport of US or Europe country. They are rich, they can go anywhere, after the Dalai Lama’s passing, after they are rejected by Indian government. But not lay Tibetans who have put their hope on CTA for 60 years, this is really sad 🙁.
Tsering Kyi
April 29, 2018
Breaking news!
Well, all the people who was saying China-backed Panchen Lama is fake sure look ridiculous now. They attacked all the Tibetans and supporters who respected the China-backed Panchen Lama calling them all types of dirty and foul names in person and on social media. Calling them China stooges and China paid vulgar names for believing in the China-backed Panchen Lama. Now who looks so ridiculous? Now the Dalai Lama says the China-backed Panchen Lama is good and has a good teacher. If he has a good teacher it means he is turning into a good teacher himself. So he is qualified to teach. The end.
Dalai Lama says the China-backed Panchen Lama is an emanation of the previous Panchen Lama because high lamas can incarnate back as several lamas at the same time. So the Panchen Lama recognized by the Dalai Lama and the China-backed Panchen Lama are both good and both are incarnations of the previous Panchen Lama. How the tables have turned. Now all the people who criticized China-backed Panchen Lama can keep quiet and remember how ridiculous they look now. Listen to what the Dalai Lama says now as of April 2018 about the China-backed Panchen Rinpoche http://video.dorjeshugden.com/videos/11PanchenLamaIsAlive.mp4
The Panchen Lama recognized by Dalai Lama is alive and well also according to Dalai Lama himself.
Karma
May 1, 2018
This is great news! There can be two Panchen Lama and all the accusations are baseless as the Panchen Lama chosen by the Dalai Lama is fine according to the Dalai Lama’s information.
I hope everyone will read this and listen to HH!!!
Dondrup Shugden
May 1, 2018
It is saddening to read what is happening to the Tibetans, whose forefathers left their homeland in China on a very noble and idealistic belief that they are following their spiritual leader to great happiness.
I can imagine how noble were their thoughts as they took great dangers to thread the himalayas to arrive in India.
In India, after 60 years, they are still refugees with little opportunities to better themselves. The generation in exile born during the last 6 decades have never been to Tibet and neither do they know much about Tibet except for stories from their elders.
Now with the explosive negative news on their Leaders in particular the CTA, these poor refugees are totally disenchanted and wish to escape again.
Doors are closing on them and they no longer have any chance for improvement in their lot.
So what is next now? Dead end. 😢
Tenzin K
May 1, 2018
Many Tibetans leaving India because of CTA failed to look after them and instead of bring hope and positive changes CTA created so much suffering to their people with corruption, discrimination, violent attack and etc. The Tibetans no longer able to tolerate and can see no more hope and future especially for their future generation.
bambi
May 1, 2018
Tibetans are indeed suffering at the hands of incompetent CTA.More proofs are now making way into headlines.Incompetent,greedy,corrupted CTA is only ard to make lives miserable.Why do they even exist for so long.For goodness sake after 60 yrs & still as incompetent as they were in Tibet.Thank goodness China is in chg now.Tibetans shd just protest & keep complaining to India’s govt & let the world know how bad they are treated & make them famous for nothing.
Geraldine Sarie
May 1, 2018
Fact is the fact. CTA is still sleeping on their dreams. CTA lied to themselves and also to others. It is difficult to understand until this situation, CTA still holding this grouch on controlling, really amazing. The Tibetan leadership will definite drop dead if CTA remain of their ego and no transformation in their management.
Samayakeeper
May 1, 2018
I would seek opportunities elsewhere than stick with the CTA who have not only given much but lined their pockets with financial aid meant for Tibetans. Younger Tibetans are not interested and not that patriotic to hang around, living a life that promises them nothing, yet CTA want them to give up their life by self immolating for a lost cause. The older generation had been waiting and waiting for far too long with nary a hope of returning to their homeland. Why continue to stay with the CTA and keep hearing the hogwash they say, when Tibetans can up and go and be away from the CTA. Why indeed.
Belinda Mae
May 1, 2018
Bad karma manifesting for the CTA. Whatever things that they CTA have done in the past is catching back on them now in a non-stop speed. If they still don’t realize that this is happening to them, they will be in bad shape later on. It is better for the Tibetans-in-exile to decide what is best for their future and wait no more for their governments to turn around to be better.
PeaceMaker
May 1, 2018
Sad to read the news from CTA again.
To all the Tibetan Youths :
It’s the time your guys wake up and look at your government, corruptions, scandals and discrimination, now a days i am really sad for your country ( Tibet ). As Dorje Shugden practitioner i wish for His Holiness Dalai Lama to live long and please lift the ban of Dorje Shugden ASAP.
Om Mani Padme Hung
Richard TamLak
May 1, 2018
Bag up CTA, you can dismiss. What more role are you playing even Tibetans also lose faith on their own government? All the Tibetans can go back to China now. If Tibetans unites earlier 30 years, they won’t be cheated by their own government up to 60 years. It’s not short to take 60 years to realize, but at least they realize at last. Many countries already realize the dirty things that CTA played. CTA did many dirty things, and yes, they will continue doing it through their last breath.
Vajra10
May 1, 2018
What goes around comes around, karma will definetely do his jobs when it’s ready.👍
Brian
May 1, 2018
When the people no longer trust the government then it will not be called a government anymore. When your people are leaving for greener pastures, instead of calling them traitors and all what you can think of, maybe lobsang sangay and all corrupted officials can look into the mirror and reflect on what they did wrong. Everyone is losing faith in you and you bring shame to all your people, CTA. How long more people will realise that your so called government is going to be redundant.
LyniK
May 1, 2018
What is more ? I don’t see CTA is bringing any development and benefit to Tibetan. The CTA is just trying to keep them as refugees in order to continuing to exploit them for donations. 60 years is enough to prove that. It was the CTA who stayed silent and allowed their people to self-immolate in the name of the so-called Tibetan cause. It was CTA who segregated their people by ban the Dorje Shugden practice. And more things they have done which only bring benefit to few peoples instead of Tibetan. So, why should you trust CTA?
Pema
May 1, 2018
The CTA has betrayed his people all along! Instead of working for the Tibetans they have collected the money and misused it!
Now, everyone needs to wake up to a harsh reality! Game over, machine kaputt! No more Thank You India! And No Free Tibet!
So, what now? Nobody relies on the CTA for this question. Everyone will chose the best option for himself and the CTA stays behind alone! Bye bye CTA!!
Tenzin Sangye
May 1, 2018
When the Dalai Lama annoucing news like he would like go back China tibet, tibetan refugee are imigrate out from India more and more. Is already tell how bad current CTA situation. CTA need tibetan refugee support, but tibetan are so disppointed with their exile government. More urgle truth of CTA has expose. Tibetan refugee eventually will leave India and useless CTA. Is time to dismiss CTA because tibetan no need you anymore.
Alexander Rein
May 1, 2018
I have heard someone said before that CTA is very corrupted, and when people heard about the name CTA, immediately it appeared to them as ‘bad’, but the fact is not everyone who work inside CTA are bad person, there are good people in there too, so when these people find that CTA has problems, they choose to quit instead of being a traitor to the Tibetans.
CTA has done nothing good except betraying and damaging their own people, like self immolation, meaningless protest, tell lies,, etc, they have done so much destroying their own country and now they still expect their citizen will stay at their side.
CTA has been around for too long, it should be dissolved asap or else, more siffering will perceived. If CTA is gone, Im sure many things will be different and the conditions will definitely be better.
Sonam Rinchen
May 4, 2018
Is it time to save the sinking ship that is the Tibetan cause? But wait a minute, the ship has already been sunk for the likes of Mr Ugyen Gyalpo.
Gone are the days when Tibet’s independence was possible, yet Tibetans like Mr Gyalpo are still living in a fantasy, asking the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) to go against the Dalai Lama’s goal of meaningful autonomy for Tibet, and advocate full independence instead. On top of that, he wants India to help Tibet gain its independence, disregarding how these actions would jeopardize India’s relationship with China.
This is the same kind of illogical, self-centred, wishful thinking that caused the Tibetans to lose their country to China by signing the 17-Point Agreement in 1951. Why ask someone to fight for a lost cause? Perhaps Mr Gyalpo was on holiday and did not catch the latest media flurry about the Dalai Lama stating that he is happy for Tibet to be in China. The CTA President Lobsang Sangay even urged Tibetans to make the Dalai Lama’s dream of returning to Tibet come true.
It is time for My Gyalpo and other pro-independence activists to seriously wake up from their self-imposed slumber and plan what they can actually do if and when the Dalai Lama gets the green light to go back to Tibet. Do they want to support the Dalai Lama, their spiritual leader? Or will they betray and abandon him?
UTsang Kunga
May 5, 2018
In March 2018, Tibetan protestors gathered near the Tibetan parliament, seeking to impeach Lobsang Sangay because his actions are unjust and akin to those of a dictator. Protestors also questioned his sudden termination of Penpa Tsering, the former Representative of the Office of Tibet in Washington, DC, who was his arch-rival during the 2016 Tibetan election.
But this is not all, Lobsang Sangay’s CV includes a long list of deceitful actions, such as hiding the loan trail of $1.5-million taken by his office from Tibet Fund to purchase a building to house the Office of Tibet in DC. He even ordered the Auditor General to remove any mention of the loan in various financial reports. Lobsang Sangay is also alleged to have sexually assaulted an intern of the International Campaign for Tibet advocacy group. Even before he became the Sikyong (the president of the Central Tibetan Administration), scandals surrounding his actions were rampant. Four years after buying a house near Boston, his US$227,000 mortgage disappeared overnight, one week before he became the president of the CTA. It is no wonder that Tibetans like Pelgyamo express their dissatisfaction by posting sarcastic comments on Lobsang Sangay’s Instagram page.
Yeshi Dorje
May 11, 2018
The Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) in Dharamsala refusing to accept Tibetan RCs (Registration Certificates) is yet another example of interference by the Central Tibetan Administration. Tibetans need this document to apply for an Indian passport. The CTA does not want to lose its grip on Tibetan refugees, as fewer refugees under their control means less foreign aid. That translates to less money that they can line their own pockets with.
This is not the first time that the CTA has created problems for Tibetans who wish to apply for Indian citizenship. Last July, the CTA ordered all its departments to stop issuing NOC (No Objection Certificates) to Tibetans applying for Indian passports, effectively sabotaging India’s goodwill of offering citizenship to eligible Tibetans. Perhaps that is a reason why many Tibetans are leaving their settlements in India, some of them even returning to Tibet! The CTA’s days as a ‘government’ are numbered, as more and more Tibetans apply for Indian citizenship or leave the CTA’s influence in India altogether.
Khampa Bhu
May 14, 2018
The Dalai Lama Fears that He Might be Expelled from India!
The situation in India is not getting better for the Tibetan government in-exile or the Dalai Lama. Since India is getting closer to China, this trend will not slow down. Whether it is the current Prime Minister Modi, or the next Prime Minister of India making efforts to get close to China, it does not matter because the momentum has started. It benefits both India and China tremendously to be friendly and on good terms with each other. The parasite-like Tibetans leeching off India brings no benefit whatsoever to India and India realizes this sad fact finally. The Dalai Lama and his team in the Tibetan government in-exile have created so many problems externally for India and internally within the Tibetan communities, enough is enough. Tibetans like to use India to irk China. They have done that for decades and now it’s over. The Tibetans have been put in their place. The Indian government has been snubbing the Dalai Lama this year. The Dalai Lama and his cohorts have created tremendous problems, segregation, hatred, and violence towards thousands of Dorje Shugden practitioners, now that karma is coming back. Too bad. The Tibetan leadership is losing support from India, in fact, Modi purposely humiliated the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama and cohorts have less power to create so much schism and trouble now. If you read this article carefully, the Dalai Lama himself has expressed concerns he might be kicked out of India. It has reached this level that the Dalai Lama is unsure of his footing in India now. Too bad.
Tsamduk
May 15, 2018
More and more Tibetans are expressing their dissatisfaction with the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). This even extends to accusing them of ruling without legal precedence. This is a serious matter as their management of funds, administrative procedures, and even their governing constitution are all flawed. From the simple of choice of words used for the translation of a title, the CTA have exposed the way in which they run their “nationless government” in an egotistical and self-serving manner. The CTA simply do things based on their personal agendas and needs, using the title of democracy as a cover.
Clearly, there is no system of governance for what the CTA do and how they spend the money they gain from people sympathetic to the Tibetan plight, aid from their host and donors from around the world. Since law is at the core of any administration, their underhanded tactic of finding loopholes and bending the rules to suit their individual needs has failed the Tibetan people. As an ex-Senior Fellow of Harvard Law School and a self-proclaimed expert in international human rights law, Sangay deters people’s faith in the integrity of a leader and the legal system, instead of upholding the cause of justice. After the public apology during his swearing in ceremony in 2016 and his firm pledge not to repeat his misconduct, it looks like Sangay is at it again.
Eli Buchen
May 21, 2018
It is no surprise that CTA is not being truthful, in fact no Tibetans are escaping to India now. As things pick up in Tibet, and opportunities are plentiful it is only natural Tibetans will stay in Tibet.
Without more Tibetans coming from Tibet to India, the dharma scene in India will be that much more on the downturn. Without more people from Tibet heading to india, CTA’s influence and power wanes this is also coupled with Tibetans in exile are taking Indian citizenship or moving to other country’s the end of CTA is clear signs it is in its last throes.
Jing Jing
May 22, 2018
Tibetans have come to realise that they have been cheated and used by their beloved leaders for the last 60 years. They have come to a conclusion that there’s no one to be blamed but the CTA. They have come to understand why Dorje Shugden was being blamed as a reason of Tibetans cannot return to Tibet. They knew that there’s no hope for their children if they continue to stay as where they are and who they are as refugees. They aren’t going any where. They need to move on.
It’s very sad to see this. Today, Tibetan in Tibet are having better living condition than those in india. They at least enjoy the benefits from their government as one China. I believe Tibet will continue to grow under the leadership of President Xi. 👍
Anonymous
May 23, 2018
CTA is really pathetic.Always making peoples life miserable meddling in affairs they are not suppose to.Karmapa’s affair is not their territory.Why is it that a politic party get involve in religion & the thing is that it is not even gelugpa problem.Who they recognise is not CTA problem.Always disrupting peace just like the case of Dorje Shugden.All Dorje Shugden ppl are discriminated and shunned cause CTA say so.What ppl practice,what ppl choose,what ppl do CTA must have a say.They always push the attention to other ppl so tibetans will not ask about CTA scandal,lies,corruption,wrongdoings.As usual CTA is hopeless in everything they do.
Sherabz
June 7, 2018
India tightening its grip on the Dalai Lama and Tibetans
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed Himachal police to tighten its grip on Tibetans meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Those Tibetans without paperwork showing individual identity and establishing legal credentials of their arrival in India will be turned away from seeing the religious leader. Undocumented Tibetans have been arriving in India, usually from Nepal, where they are aided by the Tibetan communities there. India seems to clamping down of Tibetan activity, from cancelling Thank You India events in Delhi and now restricting Tibetans from seeing the Dalai Lama. What else with the Indian government do next?
Thinley Woeser
June 8, 2018
Things are going to be very different for Tibetans in India from now on as Sino-Indian relations get warmer by the day. India has vowed to firmly adhere to the one-China policy and ensure Tibet-related issues are handled ‘properly’. This means India will tighten her grip on all Tibetan-related activities. So, the trouble-making Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) better watch themselves and not create further problems that may antagonise China. This is something India will no longer tolerate.
Peljor
June 14, 2018
Ex-Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche caught sleeping in a meeting
The representative of the Dalai Lama and former prime minister of the Tibetan government in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche during an important meeting having a nice sleep. The Tibetan government in-exile are run by people like this who have no control over their body and manners. They only stay awake in the meeting if there is FREE aid money coming their way to line their pockets. Shameful how Samdong Rinpoche is sleeping in the middle of a meeting and he represents the Tibetan government in-exile. This is why after 60 years Tibetan leaders have failed to get Tibet back but blame others for their failures. Shame!
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1528941530.mp4
Dorji Damdu
June 28, 2018
The Dalai Lama has emerged as the biggest talking point during informal Sino-Indian bilateral talks during 2018, such as the Wuhan Summit. This is all due to concerns related to the Dalai Lama’s health. China wants the Dalai Lama to travel to Tibet, knowing that it would most probably be a one-way ticket. India on the other hand initiated the talks, shunning the Dalai Lama and kowtowed to China’s rising power. Their aim was to strike a deal to resolve border issues.
Sonam Wangchuk
June 28, 2018
The Central Tibetan Administration may be delighted to read the Daily O’s claim that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was the main subject of discussion during the recent informal summit in Wuhan between Prime Minister Modi of India and President Xi of China. However, it is said that the discussion was prompted by the Dalai Lama’s ailing health, and that China and India entered into discussion to avoid a sequel to the 73-day stand-off between two countries. Perhaps the dialogue between His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representatives and Beijing may finally resume since Prime Minister Modi and President Xi are being brought into the picture.
Yangdon Dhondup
June 29, 2018
Here is another article that gives a bleak assessment of the situation regarding the Dalai Lama and of the Tibetan cause. It mentions clearly how Tibet is losing out to China and why. It also explains why Lobsang Sangay is feebly respected by the Tibetan diaspora. The articles does not foretell good news for the Tibetan diaspora, in fact it does not even give a possible outcome for what is going to happen to them. It shows how the Dalai Lama is losing influence over world leaders from countries like the Netherlands to the United States. Such articles are becoming increasingly common because they reflect the situation for the Tibetans in-exile and their leaders.
Tsering Drolhma
July 8, 2018
UNRULY TIBETANS FIGHTING AT DALAI LAMA BIRTHDAY PARTY AGAIN
July 2018-NYC- Tibetans fighting at some birthday celebratory event for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They set up a throne in the back, place Dalai Lama’s picture, and they fight, push, shout, scream at each other right in front of the throne of Dalai Lama and it’s filmed. That is the level of the Tibetans overall. Tibetans are not gentle, Buddhist, peace-loving, tolerant people as they portray to the world. They are rough, rude, hateful, vengeful, violent, regionalistic, narrow minded and will create trouble wherever they go. Very feudal. They always resort to vulgar words and violence. There are some moderate Tibetans, but on the whole they are very violent people who do not practice Buddhism. The average Tibetan know nothing of Buddhism and do not practice. Buddhism is just a meal ticket for them to get to another country. Their support of Dalai Lama is blind and only to be politically correct and they never practice what he teaches. Disgraceful to see a group of violent Tibetans fighting at a Dalai Lama birthday event. Shameful.☹
Tibetans are not welcomed wherever they go. Bhutanese kicked them out. Nepal hates Tibetans. India has no more use for the ‘refugee’ Tibetans and their temples made of gold. After 60 years they cannot get their own country back. What a bunch of losers and useless government people they have.
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1531033672.mp4
Tsering Drolhma
July 14, 2018
The letter:
It is about the incident that happened at His Holiness’s birthday celebration in NYC recently July 6, 2018. Some members of Tibetan woman association approached to Parliamentarian Tenpa Yarphel during the ceremony and complained that his comments regarding Nechung was disrespect to the protector and His Holiness. They also said him that he made many Tibetan people sad with his comments. And told him not to do that again in the future. Then Dhondup Tseten stood up and shamelessly touched those women. That incident almost made the ceremony stopped. To keep maintaining the relationship between Tibetan Woman Association and Tibetan Parliament Representative, TWA are asking for a apology letter from Dhondup Tseten for touching their members.
(It is so sad that in the fake democracy of the Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala you cannot say anything against a leader or criticize. Too bad)
Carolle McAquire
July 11, 2018
Dalai Lama for debate, discussion to reconcile opposing viewpoints
The Dalai Lama always says we should have honest face to face discussion so misunderstandings are resolved especially on religious issues. Why does the Dalai Lama refuse to meet the Dorje Shugden followers who number in the hundreds of thousands to resolve the Dorje Shugden issue. Many letters have been submitted to request audience since 1996 and he and his office does not reply. Dalai Lama’s spirit of open debate and resolutions is not across the board. Too bad. Carolle McAquire
http://www.uniindia.com/dalai-lama-for-debate-discussion-to-reconcile-opposing-viewpoints/states/news/1285325.html
Bonnie Fider
July 11, 2018
WHY DOES RICHARD GERE AND DALAI LAMA SUPPORT SOGYAL THE DISGUSTING ABUSER?
As long as you are friends with the Dalai Lama, your actions are excusable, no matter how horrendous they may be. Even something as heinous as sexual abuse of over 60 women can be overlooked when the perpetrator is friends with the Dalai Lama namely Sogyal Rinpoche. Why rush to join the chorus of Hollywood voices condemning Harvey Weinstein’s criminality, but remain silent against Sogyal’s exploitation and abuse of women? Richard Gere was vocal in condemning against all the abuses and attacks against women by Harvey Weinstein. But silent on Sogyal Rinpoche. BBC has a full length documentary on Sogyal’s abuses as you can view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWhIivvmMnk. Yet Richard Gere can take photos with the disgusting and abusive Sogyal. Is it because one group of women are worth protecting and the other are not? If it is not for that reason, then it can only be because Sogyal is the Dalai Lama’s friend. The Dalai Lama’s condemnation against Sogyal is very light and it’s disappointing. I guess since Dalai Lama supported Sogyal so much, he can’t be seen as wrong in doing so. Politics is sad.
Sherab Wangmo
July 12, 2018
TENMA VERY ANGRY WITH SIKYONG LOBSANG SANGYE AND PENPA TSERING
Tenma deity takes trance of her oracle in Nechung Monastery in Dharamsala, North India. The deity is highly displeased and angry at Sikyong Lobsang Sangye and Penpa Tsering. She is scolding them by waving her arms at them and throwing rice at them. You can see Penpa Tsering shielding himself. These two has always been corrupt and extremely self-serving. Naturally the oracles of the Dalai Lama take trance and are very angry.
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1531344206.mp4
Suresh Ratna
July 12, 2018
SUMAA has been consistent in their efforts to evict Tibetans from Arunachal Pradesh as the Tibetans are known to exploit benefits given to locals. The Central Tibetan Administration, especially their so-called ‘president’ Lobsang Sangay, made the situation worse by rubbing salt in the wound, making a statement that Chief Minister Pema Khandu is an ardent follower of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a lifelong friend of the Tibetan people. This was right after Khandu announced the adoption of the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy in Arunachal Pradesh.
Tibetan refugees create a lot of problems for the locals no matter where they are, especially in Arunachal Pradesh. They take the locals’ land and resources without giving anything in return, making the locals furious to the extent that they are now demanding a written undertaking from the Tibetan refugees not to claim Indian citizenship and STC/PRC in Arunachal Pradesh. It is time to impeach Sangay for a better leader to guide and take care of the Tibetans in India before the wrath of locals evict Tibetans from the state or even the country for good.
Christie Donald
July 14, 2018
Hollywood is one of the most influential groups of people who have promoted the mysticism of Buddhist Tantra to the world. Together with the media, they have packaged Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan lamas into a fantasy Utopia, filled with God-like beings who are able to lead people along the quick path to enlightenment.
This propaganda has been widely exploited by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) to garner support, especially financial aid, for the so-called Tibetan Cause and the Tibetan struggle against Chinese rule. Little does the West, including Richard Gere and the so-called Buddhist Professor Robert Thurman, know that efforts from China to improve the infrastructure and standard of living for the Tibetans in China have created opportunities for Tibetans to grow and be successful. This is something that is rarely seen in exile under the governance of the CTA.
This false image that has been promoted for the past 60 years or so is now slowly fading away as more and more victims come forward, exposing the sexual abuse they have suffered under the hands of Tibetan lamas like Sogyal Rinpoche. The root of the problem is clear, people are greedy and lazy while wanting quick success and attention. Since they get these from the Tibetan lamas like Sogyal, they are willing to accept the exploitation. This is further driven by fear that they would no longer be seen as the privileged ones in the inner circle if they do not clutch at their lamas and be seen showing tremendous devotion to their gurus. With only a superficial knowledge of Buddhism, this cult-like group of Hollywood stars and American politicians like Richard Gere continue to generate respect and love for their skewed version of the “Dharma”, while real Buddhist masters are relegated to the side lines.
Tsewang
July 26, 2018
Tai Situpa’s Karmapa candidate’s escape to USA and continued stay in USA is a huge embarrassment to the Dalai Lama and Tibetan government in exile. The Karmapa said he is very sad with his situation in his recent video (youtu.be/AdI4DMRFkm4?hid).