Dr Lobsong Sanjay is heading the Tibetan Government in Exile and is one of the global faces of the movement for human rights. He says that the fight is not only for the righta of Six million Tibetans but for the democratic rights of the entire world against an aggressive China.
An exclusive interview with the Sikyong.
1: The Tibetan movement has a major fillip on your entry to White House. Your comments on the same.
The invitation to the White House and the State Department is US government’s acknowledgement of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Therefore, it is significant as CTA is a democratic polity that represents the Tibetan people and their aspirations.
2: You are heading the Tibetan Government in exile. What are your manor activities ?
The peaceful resolution of the Tibet issue and restoration of freedom in Tibet is the aspiration of the Tibetan people. Therefore, as the democratically elected Sikyong, it is the prime duty of the Sikyong to work towards fulfilling it while taking care of other important things.
3: How supportive is the United States Government to your cause?
As for the newly elected Biden Administration, yes, I am positive that the new Administration will strengthen its support for the Tibet cause. This past September, then a president nominee, President Biden in a strong statement on Tibet issues said that he would meet up with His Holiness and step up support for the Tibetan people among many others.
4: There have been several instances of freedom movements forming Government’s in exile. Some taste success in forming a separate country and thereby a government. How do you rate your chances?
As I have said before CTA represents the Tibetan people’s aspiration and under the blessings of His Holiness, CTA is at the forefront in our struggle to resolve the Tibet issue and it will remain so until our issue is resolved. I wouldn’t say Beijing’s influence, but rather attempt to influence.
5: Do you get support from Western countries ?
I think it’s important to realize that it is not just about Tibet. Today it is no longer only about defending the rights of the six million Tibetan people; rather today, it has come to defending the global democratic values and international laws from an aggressive China. Therefore, either it’s the world transform China or China will transform the world.
6: Black home in China, do you feel that autocracy is on the rise?
Irrespective of China’s attempt to influence Tibetan people’s religious and cultural identity through repressive policies in the past over six decades, China has failed in its attempt to Sinicize the heart of the Tibetan people. The CTA and the Tibetan people’s stand on reincarnation including the Dalai lamas’ is very clear. Reincarnation is thousand years-old Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the atheist Chinese government definitely has no say in it. The US government has also made it an official policy echoing the Tibetan people’s stand through the Tibet Support and Policy Act 2020.
7; There are several movements across the globe who are supporting your cause .Who are the most vocal?
As I have said before CTA represents the Tibetan people’s aspiration and under the blessings of His Holiness, CTA is at the forefront in our struggle to resolve the Tibet issue and it will remain so until our issue is resolved. I wouldn’t say Beijing’s influence, but rather attempt to influence.
Tibet cause is a cause of justice, equality and freedom. In addition, the fact that under the leadership of the His Holiness, Tibetans continue pursues non-violence even the face of grave violence has and will continue to garner support for the Tibet cause.
8 China has unleashed propaganda that the Tibetan cause has long lost its steam. Do you expect resurgence in your movement to take on a much powerful Chinese government? What are your chances after a new democratic government under Joe Biden assumes office in the US?
Yes, the situation in Tibet is critical. As you might know, for the past five consecutive years, the Freedom House report has placed Tibet as the second least free region in the world after Syria. The issue of Tibetan and Uyghur and now Honk Kong is a stark warning to the world. We stand united with the others suffering under the CCP regime. One thing that we know and the world know but China fails to realize is that its repressive policies and attempt at sinicization of the Tibetan identity has failed. Tibetans in Tibet has with infinite courage remained resilient.
9: How is the movement sustaining? Without ground level support, the chances of survival of a political movement are grim. Your comments?
We are grateful to India. The biggest settlement of Tibetans outside Tibet is in India. The continuation of the Tibetan freedom struggle and revival of the Tibetan culture and language in exile was made possible with the help of India. We are thankful to India for its continued support. However, India itself is facing the brunt of a military aggressive China at the borders. Geopolitically and environmentally Tibet is of great significance. As the Water Tower of the Asia, many countries including India are dependent on the rivers that originate from the Tibetan plateau, which provides water to more than 1.35 billion people in Asia. Therefore, Tibet issue is fundamental for Asia’s security.
It is crucial and relevant in this modern century. The world has witnessed a lot of war and its repercussions. Violence has never brought a lasting peaceful solution. Dialogue as the middle way suggest is at the core of genuine peace building. It is understanding the differences, respecting the difference and willingness to compromise from the both sides that makes Middle Way Policy and dialogue effective in resolving any conflict.
