New Delhi — Scores of Tibetan activists protested outside the Chinese embassy on Friday in New Delhi ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India for BRICS summit. Protesters call on Xi to "stop the illegal demolition of Larung Gar."
'Over a hundred activists from Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) gathered at the Chinese Embassy in Delhi on October 14, to protest the illegal demolition of Larung Gar, one of the largest centres of Buddhist learning in Tibet, by China,' according to a TYC statement.
Security was increased at the embassy before the visit. Members of TYC, who protested against Chinese President Xi Jinping in New Delhi, are also expected to protest in Goa. Security was also beefed up in Goa before his visit, according to media reports.
"The obvious concern is regarding religious freedom for the thousands of monks and nuns that have renounced the world and made Larung Gar their home just to practice their religion," the TYC said in a statement issued on Thursday.
"As the Chinese government continues to manipulate the number of monks and nuns in monasteries all over Tibet, this directly obstructs the practice of religion for many," it said, adding that "It has been reported that three nuns from the monastery have committed suicide protesting the demolition."
"As long as the occupation continues, as long as the communist government continues with their hardline stance and policies, ignoring the cries of the Tibetan people, the struggle and resistance of Tibetans will continue," said TYC President Tenzing Jigme in a statement.
"This is a clear sign of the Chinese governments policies to wipe out Tibetan language, culture and identity. It also shows that Tibetans in Tibet have no freedom of religion and the right to preserve their culture. We condemn the illegal demolition of Larung Gar and demand Xi Jinping to stop the destruction immediately", Tenzing Jigme added.
Xi will be visiting Goa between October 15 and 17 for the summit. The TYC demanded that China stop its "illegal occupation" of Tibet while expressing concern over the "current critical situation".
"Those of living in exile have even greater duty and responsibility and we vow to keep our struggle alive and lend our voices to the voiceless and ensure that everywhere Xi Jinping travels, we will be there to expose the lies of the communist Chinese Government," Jigme continued.
TYC is the largest Tibetan NGO in exile and regional chapters of the organization is organizing protests throughout India during Xi's visit to India. "We express our outrage and condemn the desecration of heritage sites like Larung Gar in Tibet. The organization has also submitted petitions to the US State Department, UN and UNESCA urging for an intervention on this issue," the TYC said.
Tibet was invaded by Communist China, starting in 1949, Beijing calls a "peaceful liberation". Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed— the acts of murder, rape and arbitrary imprisonment, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment were inflicted on the Tibetans inside Tibet.
