TYC President to China: We will fight for the Tibetan cause until Tibet is free

Tibetan activists from TYC riding bikes in the "All India Bike Rally" for Tibet, on December 15, 2024. (Photo: TYC)

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New Delhi — Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) concluded its two-month bike rally entitled "TYC All India Bike Rally" on January 22, 2025. They traveled over Indian 150 cities and raised awareness on China's ongoing actions to eradicate Tibetan culture and exploit Tibet's natural resources. TYC President said, “We want to send a clear message to the Chinese government that, we as TYC activists, Tibetans and Tibet supporters will continue to fight for our Tibetan cause until Tibet is free.

The Tibetan Youth Congress concluded its more than two-month-long bike rally in Majnu ka Tilla, Tibetan Colony, New Delhi, on January 22, 2025. The rally began on November 22, 2024, at the Bumla Pass in Arunachal Pradesh on the Indo-Tibetan border. More than 20 Tibetan activists, including 15 motorcyclists, the youngest of whom was 23 and the oldest 50 years old, took part in the rally, which passed through more than 150 cities and 20 states in 63 days. They met with lawmakers, local officials, journalists and locals and raised awareness about the current critical situation in Tibet.

TYC Centrex held a closing session for the participants of the bike rally on January 22, 2025 at TCV Day School, Majnu ka Tilla. The bikers were welcomed with white scarves and flowers by the Indian supporters of various non-governmental organisations and Tibetans in the city.

Former Deputy speaker Kungoe Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, Shri Pankaj Goyal Ji General Secretary BTSM, Shri Sunilam, the former MLA Madhya Pradesh State Assembly, Shri Surendra kumar, Executive Member of Indo-Tibet friendship society, Shri Vijay Krant, Senior Indian Journalist and long time supporter of Tibet, Shri Rajenes Kumar, the Secretary of Gandhi Samadhi Rajghat, Smt. Jyotsna Roy, Treasurer of India-Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS), Shri Sri Arun Srivasto, former NCP Secretary and long time Tibet supporter, Shri A. R Maulana Sheen, Secretary General of World Peace Organisation, Former Deputy Chairman of state assembly ( Madhya Pradesh), Shri Manoj Kumar, General Secretary, National Society for Indo-Tibetan Friendship, Shri Anil Thakur, President, ITFS, New Delhi, and Tibetans gathered at the concluding session to thank the TYC bikers for their more than two months of hard work for the Tibetan cause.

Gonpo Dhundup, President of the TYC, said at the event: “Our bike rally has three objectives: firstly, we want to call on the international community to put pressure on China to stop its illegal and ongoing actions to eradicate Tibetan culture and respect the rights of the Tibetan people to preserve their cultural heritage.”

He stated, "We have traveled to over 150 cities and 20 states, and we have thanked the government and people of India for their hospitality and support of the Tibetan people. We urge MPs to adopt a resolution supporting the historical independent status of Tibet and recognize Tibet as an occupied nation." “We also 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,” he added.

The President explained, “We traveled from town to town by bike, raising awareness about the Tibet issue and the current critical situation in Tibet. We emphasised Tibetan human rights, culture, and the environmental issues. We held press conferences on Tibetan issues and on the three objectives mentioned above. We didn't rest for a single day, not even on days when it was cold or rainy, because we were committed to the Tibetan cause. We overcame every challenge, even though some of our bikers faced health issues.”

“TYC is organising this rally to fight for the Tibetan cause. As Tibetans, we must lead the way. We are born activists. We are the representatives of the Tibetan people inside Tibet and political refugees. Tibetans must take responsibility for our cause. We have a responsibility to do so,” TYC President stated.

“Through this two-month bike rally, we want the Tibetans inside to know that our young Tibetans in exile have never forgotten the Tibetans inside. Until our Tibetan issue is resolved and Tibet becomes free, we promise to continue fighting for our cause,” he said.

“We also want to send a clear message to the Chinese government that, we as TYC activists, Tibetans and Tibet supporters will continue to fight for our Tibetan cause until Tibet is free,” TYC President Gonpo concluded his speech.