New Delhi — 46 Members of the Indian Parliament have formally signed a joint declaration supporting the safeguarding of human rights and the unique religious, cultural, linguistic and national identity of the Tibetan people. This includes the fundamental and exclusive right of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people to choose their religious leaders in accordance with established religious and historical traditions.
According to the Tibet Advocacy Alliance-India, 46 Indian MPs from all parties have officially signed a joint declaration on Tibet and the reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on March 31, 2025. The day His Holiness the Dalai Lama fled to India and arrived safely in Khen-Dze-Mane, Tawang, India, on March 31, 1959.
The 46 Indian MPs who have signed the joint declaration are Shri Adoor Prakash, Shri Amar Singh, Shri Balwant Baswant Wankhade, Shri Beedha Masthan Rao Yadav, Shri Chintamani Maharaj, Shri Dharambir Singh, Shri Deepender Singh Hooda, Shri Dr. Rabindra Narayan Bahera, Shri Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj, Shri Ganesh Singh, Shri Gulam Ali, Shri Imran Masood, Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal, Shri Javed Ali Khan Smt. Jyotsna Charandas Mahant, Shri Kaushalendra Kumar , Shri Kuldeep Indora, Shri Manoj Tigga, Shri Mohammed Basheer E.T., Shri Mohmad Haneefa, Shri Nabam Rebia, Shri Naresh Bansal Shir Naresh Uttam Patel, Shri Niranjan Bishi, Shri Parshottambhai Rupala Smt. Priya Saroj, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Shri Rajeev Rai Shri Rajendra Gehlot Shri Raju Bista, Shri Ram Bhaul Nisha, Shri Rambhual Nishad, Shri Ram Shiromani Verma, Smt. Dr. Sangeeta Balwant, Shri Sasmit Patra, Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu, Smt. S. Phangnon Konyak, Smt. Sanjana Jatav, Shri Dr. Sikander Kumar, Shri Sujeet Kumar, Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyab, Shri Tanuj Punia Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat, Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey, Shri Virendra Singh, and Smt. Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad.
This remarkable move comes after members of the Tibet Advocacy Alliance-India consistently advocated the Tibetan cause, the critical situation in Tibet and the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama among Indian parliamentarians, as the CCP attempts to interfere in the matter. Tibet Advocacy Alliance-India Member Groups include the Tibetan Youth Congress, Students for a Free Tibet, Tibetan Women's Association, Tibetan National Democratic Party and the International Tibet Network.
The Joint Declaration articulates, "We come together to send a resounding message to China: we stand with the Tibetan people in support of their right to religious and cultural freedoms."
This remarkable demonstration of solidarity conveys a clear and unequivocal message: India supports the cultural and religious rights of the Tibetan people and does not tolerate external forces dictating the spiritual leadership and institutions of Tibetan Buddhism. Simultaneously with the release of the Joint Declaration, several signatories formulated their individual positions on the historical, traditional and cultural rights of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan religious institutions to determine his reincarnation free from the machinations of Beijing.
Raju Bista, a Member of Parliament from West Bengal declares, "His Holiness the Dalai Lama's profound contributions to religious harmony and global peace extend far beyond the Buddhist community, benefiting all humanity. Furthermore, the authority and right to determine the next Dalai Lama rest solely with His Holiness and those he designates. I assure the Tibetan community, along with the people from Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars, I and my fellow Indian MPs stand firmly with our Tibetan brothers and sisters in their pursuit of religious and cultural freedoms."
Dr Sasmit Patra, a Member of Parliament from Odisha says, " The reincarnation system in Tibetan Buddhism is rooted in the continuity of the noble work and legacy of the institute of the Dalai Lama. As such, the sole authority on succession matters lies with the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan people and those he entrusts. As such, no external forces have the right to interfere in this sacred process of Tibetan Buddhist practitioners."
Sujeet Kumar, a Member of Parliament from Odisha states, "The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama holds utmost significance amongst the traditions and culture of the Tibetans. China wants to control this process of reincarnation, which is very ironic, because Communist China is an atheist country and they want to control this process of reincarnation so that they can continue with their draconian repression of the Tibetan people."
Dr Lobsang Yangtso, a representative of Tibet Advocacy Alliance-India comments, "The enthusiastic and concrete support demonstrated by Indian MPs sends a clear message of support and solidarity to the Tibetan people. Their commitment to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's spiritual leadership is deeply appreciated and provides crucial strength in our ongoing efforts."
"The Tibet Advocacy Alliance-India expresses confidence that this fervent demonstration of support from across the political spectrum of India for Tibet and its people will act as a significant precursor to an enhanced resistance against China’s efforts to sinicize Tibet’s religious and cultural heritage," members of Tibet Advocacy Alliance-India concluded.
