Tibetan Uprising

Photos from June 19.

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On May 27, an estimated force of 1000 police blocked the entrance to the marchers’ current camp at Banspatan. Police ordered the marchers to turn back or risk being arrested. In response, the marchers immediately crossed a dry riverbed, and staged a Gandhian style sit-in – chanting prayers and singing the Tibetan national anthem. The stalemate lasted for an hour before the police retreated and eventually left the campsite. The same scenario occurred again on May 28.

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After participating in the three days of protests organized by the Tibetan Solidarity Committee, the marchers were given a day to rest.

The following are some photographs from the marcher’s past 3 days in New Delhi.

The marchers participated in a candle light vigil tonight in Delhi to mourn those killed during the Chinese crackdown in Tibet. They were joined by members of the Tibetan community in Delhi, Tibetans from neighboring states, students from the Tibetan Childrens’ Village schools in Dharamsala and Bylakuppe, as well as Indian supporters.

The Delhi chapter of Tibetan Youth Congress had organized a Marathon that ended at Jantar Mantar. They were warmly welcomed by all the Tibetans and supporters with thundering claps.

Many eminent Indian supporters spoke very strongly in favour of the Tibetan cause. A small group of Mahabodhi Society Monks also came to the protesting site to show their solidarity and offer their prayers for those who were killed during recent uprising in Tibet.

The marchers left Shiva at 7:00am this morning and walked 22 kilometers to Gannaur where they are staying in a Jain Temple.

Today’s walk was pleasant. The marchers took a break along the way for chai and biscuits.

When the marchers reached the Jain Temple, they had lunch and were treated to a guest talk by Khamtrul Rinpoche. Highlighting the critical timing and nature of the Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement, Rinpoche stated that while he cannot join the March physically, he is incredibly proud of all the marchers and their commitment to the Movement. Rinpoche presented each marcher with a khata (white scarf) before leaving and donated money for the marchers to have a nice dinner tonight. The marchers and the March organizers thank Rinpoche for this and his previous donations to the March

On March 20, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) launched a head-shaving campaign in Dharamsala. TCHRD staff members and interns shaved their heads and women staff wore black bandanas on their foreheads to show their sincere gesture of respect to those who were killed during the recent peaceful protests inside Tibet.

Head-shaving is a Hindu tradition to illustrate mourning for the death of a loved one.

In the days since TCHRD launced this campaign, there have been more and more people in Dharamsala shaving their heads in support of those Tibetans killed inside Tibet.

On March 16th, Tibetans in Dharamsala demonstrated against China’s crackdown on protesters in Tibet.

Students at Sarah College for Higher Tibetan Studies held a candlelight vigil in the evening.
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