Shimla, Oct 30 (PTI) The Tibetan community on Friday began a five-day foot march from McLeodganj near Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district to Kurukshetra in Haryana to protest against a Chinese law that it says threatens Tibetan culture, religious identity and language.
The march has been organised jointly by five non-governmental organisations to oppose China’s so-called ‘Ethnic Unity and Progress Law’ and garner support from the Indian government, the public and the international community.
Tsering Dolma, president of the Tibetan Women’s Association, alleged that the law aimed to undermine Tibetan culture, religion and identity. She said the cultural identity of Tibetan children was being compromised by sending them to boarding schools.
She said the Tibetan community categorically rejected the law.
During the march, participants will interact with people in markets, institutions and offices to raise awareness about the issue.
Dawa Tsering, a member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, said the march was intended to register opposition to the Chinese law and draw the attention of the international community.
He appealed to the Indian government, the public and peace-loving nations to support efforts to preserve Tibetan culture and identity.
Tsering said all five organisations supported the Dalai Lama’s ‘Middle Way Approach’, which seeks a peaceful resolution to the Tibet-China conflict.
He said the march from McLeodganj to Kurukshetra would conclude in five days. Kurukshetra was chosen as the destination to convey a message about the triumph of truth, he added.
Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong (prime minister) of the Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan government-in-exile, welcomed the initiative and said the Chinese law could have serious implications for the identities of Tibetans, Uyghurs and Mongols.
He said the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile had already condemned the law and demanded its repeal.
Around 35 people were participating in the march, Penpa Tsering said, adding that it aimed to raise awareness about the law’s implications and mobilise support from the Indian public and leadership.
He said the Tibetan administration would also engage with the international community, including governments, parliaments, think tanks and the media, to highlight the issue and build wider support against China’s policies. PTI BPL MDO
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