Dharamshala — Tibetan Youth Congress began its bike rally in 110 cities across 20 Indian states, to draw attention to the current dire situation in Tibet, including China's ongoing actions to eradicate Tibetan culture and exploit Tibet's natural resources. The Tibetan Youth Congress urges India to adopt a resolution supporting the historical independent status of Tibet to ensure a long term security for India.
The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) begins its two-month bicycle rally entitled "TYC All India Bike Rally" from the Bumla Pass in Arunachal Pradesh on November 22, 2024. More than 20 Tibetan activists, including 15 bikers, the youngest being 23 and the oldest 50, are taking part in the rally, which will cover 15,000 km across India, crossing 110 cities and 20 states.
The Bum La Pass is a border pass located 43 km from Tsona County in Tibet and Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Tibetan TYC activists gathered at the Indo-Tibetan border at the Bum La Pass, paid homage to the land of Tibet and offered their deepest prayers for the realisation of a free Tibet.
Gonpo Dhondup, President of TYC said, "Today, the TYC All India Bike Rally kicked off from the zero point of Indo-Tibet border- Bumla Pass. The event was flagged off by Shri Pankaj Goyal Ji, National General Secretary of Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch (BTSM), an Indian Tibet support group, and led by the TYC President, Joint Secretary, and TYC social media officer."
"The rally began with a spirited slogan-raising session in front of Chinese Army, where participants chanted "Long live His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama," "Tibet belongs to Tibetans," and "Bhoerangzen Gyalo (Victory for Tibetan Independence)","Tibet’s Independence, India’s Security", while waving the Tibetan Nationals flag and TYC organisational flag. The protest was also joined by BTSM members who are part of the Tawang Yatra organised by BTSM," he added.
Statement of TYC states, "The primary objective of this rally is to expose the atrocities committed by the Chinese Communist Regime in Tibet and to oppose its illegitimate rule, which has persisted for over six decades. We aim to draw urgent international attention to the ongoing cultural genocide in Tibet, where China is implementing hard-line policies designed to systematically eradicate Tibetan culture and identity. These policies include the forced enrolment of Tibetan children into colonial-style boarding schools, restricting access to educational activities related to Tibetan culture, and imprisoning teachers and individuals who strive to preserve the Tibetan language. Additionally, the forced closure of Tibetan schools and monastic institutions poses a significant threat to the preservation of Tibetan culture, language, and spiritual heritage. This blatant violation of rights and freedoms serves as a stark reminder of the Chinese government's relentless efforts to suppress Tibetan identity. Therefore, we call upon the Indian government, along with the international community and non-governmental organizations, to raise their voices in demanding that China put an end to this cultural genocide in Tibet."
"For thousands of years, Tibet existed as an independent country, maintaining harmonious relationships with its neighbours through cultural and civilizational exchanges. However, following the unfortunate occupation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China in 1959, the historically peaceful Indo-Tibet border was shattered. Driven by its expansionist policies, the Chinese Communist Regime has instigated infiltration into Indian territory, posing a direct threat to India's border security and sovereignty. The developmental projects undertaken by China in the border regions exacerbate this threat. Therefore, we urge the Indian government to remain vigilant and cautious regarding China's strategic development initiatives, as they may have far-reaching implications for regional security and stability. As we assert, “Tibet’s Independence is India’s Security.” We call on the Indian government to adopt a resolution that supports the historical independent status of Tibet and recognises the historical Indo-Tibet border," the Tibetan activists said.
"In recent years, the Chinese communist government has intensified the exploitation of Tibet's rich mineral resources under the guise of developmental projects, endangering the environment of the Tibetan Plateau and threatening the survival of historically significant sites and monasteries. The damming projects on the Drichu River and other rivers in Tibet will have devastating implications for the livelihoods of Tibetans and downstream countries. The massive damming initiatives and nuclear production, combined with the dumping of nuclear waste and reckless development policies, are wreaking havoc on Tibet’s environment, subsequently contributing to ecological imbalance worldwide. We urge attention from downstream countries regarding these developments on the Tibetan Plateau and call for action to curtail China’s reckless activities in Tibet," they added.
"Throughout this bike rally, we will be visiting Tibetan winter markets across India to promote awareness about the ongoing cultural genocide perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Regime in Tibet, as well as to emphasize the importance of unity against China," they explained.
The 20 states include Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chattisgarh, Andra Pradesh, Telanga, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujurat, Rajastan, Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi. Their bike rally concludes in New Delhi after two months.
On arrival in the cities, they will meet with members of Parliament, members of the Legislative Assembly, Tibet support groups and individuals to seek support for Tibet's cause. They will also hold press conferences to outline their three demands, as follows;
1. We call upon the International community to exert pressure on China to cease its unlawful and ongoing actions aimed at erasing Tibetan culture, and to respect the rights of the Tibetan people to preserve the cultural heritage.
2. Thank the government and people of India for their solidarity and advocate for the Indian government to adopt a resolution supporting the historical independent status of Tibet to ensure a long term security for India.
3. We urge the international community to protect Tibet's environment and pressure China to halt its exploitation of Tibet's natural resources, which is causing global ecological imbalance.
When asked about the importance of the bicycle rally, Sonam Tsering, secretary of TYC, said, "The bicycle rally is very important to raise awareness about the Tibetan issue among the general people in India and the international community. When such a rally is organised, it will encourage Tibetans to do more for the Tibetan struggle.
