Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Oct. 1: As China marked the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic on October 1, Tibetan activists staged multiple protests in India’s capital, condemning what they describe as decades of oppression in Tibet.
Members of the Tibetan Youth Congress, a pro-independence for Tibet group demonstrated outside the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi calling the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, a celebration of violence, lies, and oppression against the people of Tibet. During the protest, tensions escalated as police intervened to prevent protesters from entering the Chinese Embassy. Several demonstrators were detained.
The protests came a day after an awareness campaign by the same group that concluded Monday, where 50 cyclists completed a 400-kilometer journey from Dehradun to Delhi via Chandigarh. The cycle rally aimed to spotlight cultural genocide in Tibet in the hands of the Chinese Communist party.
In a parallel demonstration, Students for Free Tibet (SFT), another pro-independence for Tibet group organized a photo action and awareness campaign at the Vishwavidyalaya metro station. Tenzin Namgyal, Grassroots Coordinator for SFT-India, emphasized the existential nature of their struggle: “This isn’t just about Tibet’s land; it’s about Tibet’s survival. Tibetans are fighting to protect their land and culture from complete annihilation. China’s so-called development projects are part of a wider colonial agenda.”
Tenzin Passang, National Director of SFT-India, criticized China’s celebratory narrative, “Every year on October 1st, the PRC whitewashes these atrocities. With cultural performances and military parades, China attempts to rewrite history, spinning 75 years of oppression as a story of peace and prosperity. But we know the truth. Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Hongkongers are not free, and the PRC’s violent control extends far beyond its borders.”
Meanwhile, sources inside Tibet reported heightened security measures coinciding with the anniversary celebrations. According to Radio Free Asia, Chinese authorities conducted an official ceremony in front of Potala Palace, the seat of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and erstwhile Tibetan government in Lhasa while implementing strict controls across the country. Special police checkpoints were established throughout Lhasa, and pilgrimage sites were ordered closed. Religious practitioners, including monks and nuns, were reportedly compelled to participate in flag-raising ceremonies and undergo “patriotic education” sessions.
