Dharamshala: - As the mercury touched 43 degrees Celsius, the three Tibetan activists continued their fast at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi,India . It has been 22 days and the activists are prepared to die for their cause. It started with an incident on the 16th of March, 2011 when Phuntsok, a 20-year-old monk living in Ngaba, Amdo, Eastern Tibet , immolated himself.
Phuntsok was protesting the forced political re-education at Kirti monastery, condemnations of the Dalai Lama, and forced impositions, whereby they were made to accept Tibet as a part of China. Jarutsang's death created a huge uproar in the Tibetan community across the world.
In retaliation, China enforced an enormous security restriction in Kriti monastery and other Tibetan areas in China, which resulted in the death of three elderly Tibetans and the injuring of more.
The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) launched an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on April,25 2011 and have put forth a set of demands, Dharamshala , home to about 15,000 Tibetans and also the refuge of His Holiness The Dalai Lama is witnessing hunger strikes on a regular basis.
Earlier, professor Samdhong Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa (current prime minister) of the Tibetan Government in Exile met with the three members of the TYC on fast at Jantar Mantar, asking them to break their fast. He said there is much work to be done and that being healthy is pertinent.
" We have not made a decision regarding the same" , Tsewang Rigzin, the President of TYC told The Tibet Post International when asked what the TYC is going to do, now that His Holiness The Dalai Lama,The Kalon Tripa Professor Samdhong Rinpoche and the Kalon Tripa-elect Dr. Lobsang Sangay have asked that the hunger strike be called off.
The TYC said that the aim of the hunger strike ( which has already lasted 22 days) to force the Chinese Government to withdraw the Patriotic re-education Campaign as well as the Chinese Troops from Kirti Monastery and finally to release everyone arrested recently from Ngaba.
Additionally , they demand that a TYC delegation is allowed to evaluate the situation of political prisoners in Tibet.
TYC said that the activists health has deteriorated over 3 weeks with each of the activists losing more than 10 kilos each.Dhondup Lhadar has lost to date 16 kgs, Tenzin Norsang 11 kgs and Konchok Yangphel 13 kgs Also, their blood pressure has consistently been below normal for the past few days.
