Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, March 4: The Tibetan Government in Exile, known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has categorically denied issuing any letter cancelling the upcoming March 10 or the Tibetan Uprising day commemoration, dismissing as fake a press release dated February 2, 2026, that has been circulating on social media in its name.
The fabricated statement had claimed that the exile Tibetan government would forgo observing the 67th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day in light of the recent demise of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s younger brother, Ngari Rinpoche Tenzin Choegyal, as well as the passing of his elder brother, Gyalo Thondup in 2025.
Refuting the claim, CTA Spokesperson Tenzin Lekshay said the rumour was “completely baseless and untrue,” reaffirming the administration’s unwavering commitment to commemorating March 10. “At present, there is a rumour circulating on social media claiming that the CTA has announced that it will not observe the March 10th anniversary. I would like to clearly state that this claim is completely baseless and untrue,” he stated.
The spokesperson emphasised that March 10, marking the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, remains one of the most significant dates in the Tibetan freedom movement. “From a political perspective, as long as we remain in exile, March 10th remains one of the most important dates in our struggle. For the past sixty-seven years, we have consistently commemorated this day,” he said.
He further clarified that March 10 is one of the four major official commemorative days observed annually by the CTA Cabinet and is treated with the highest importance. Preparations for the 2026 commemoration, he noted, have been underway for several months.
According to the CTA, extensive arrangements have already been made to host international dignitaries currently present in Dharamshala, including government officials and parliamentarians from numerous countries. Chinese supporters and friends of Tibet from different regions have also arrived to participate in the programs.
In alignment with the anniversary, the Department of Information and International Relations has been directed to ensure strong coordination and participation. A three-day international conference of Tibet support groups is scheduled from March 7 to 9, with over 100 participants from 37 countries expected to attend.
Despite global challenges, including unrest in parts of the Middle East and flight disruptions, the administration said it is making every effort to facilitate the arrival of delegates. The All-India Tibet Support Groups meeting will also take place, followed by a broader international Tibet support conference after March 10, reinforcing the global solidarity associated with the anniversary.
Addressing the circulated letter, the spokesperson pointed out that the document bore a forged signature and failed to clearly identify the sender. He urged the public to verify official communications through proper government channels and not be misled by misinformation.
“Given the scale of preparations and the presence of supporters from across India and 37 countries, it makes no sense to claim that the commemoration is being cancelled,” he said, describing the spread of such false information as irresponsible and harmful to the continuity of the Tibetan struggle.
Calling for unity, he added that March 10 is a time to intensify advocacy efforts rather than weaken them. “If protest actions are necessary, they should be carried out. If advocacy programs need to be strengthened, they should be expanded even further. This is a time to intensify our efforts, not diminish them,” he said. Reiterating the administration’s firm stance, the spokesperson concluded, “There is absolutely no basis for doubting the government’s commitment to commemorating March 10th.”
The brazen disinformation effort by the CCP and its lackeys shows how the CCP has infiltrated the Tibetan community in India! There is no doubt there are CCP collaborators in India to spread disinformation among the Tibetan diaspora. We don’t know whether they are Tibetans or others but the needle of suspicion falls upon the disgruntled group who are openly in cahoots with our enemy. There are Tibetans who attend the Chinese New Year celebrations at Chinese embassies in Nepal, Switzerland and New York! The ones who were attending the New York Chinese embassy gathering consisted of Shugden adherents! The disinformation campaign in the guise of a letter allegedly sent by the CTA that informed of the cancellation of the March 10th Tibetan National Uprising was doing the rounds on the net is the latest one. During the former Sikyong, there was another one about the COVID-19 and just in February at the height of Epstein scandal a letter purported to be from Ganden Phodang was circulating saying the opposite of what the Dalai Lama’s office categorically refuted! All these show the CCP’s penchant for disinformation to disrupt events and create confusion among our community! Every Tibetan should be vigilant of CCP infiltration and disinformation and not take things for granted at face value and instead check throughly. The CCP has infiltrated even countries like the US, Britain Australia and Canada which have mechanism for anti-infiltration! We have nothing and therefore extremely vulnerable to infiltration through their lackeys and proxies! It is sad that there are Tibetans who are selling their souls to the devil! That is indeed the unkindest cut of all to use William Shakespeare’s unmatched description for monumental disappointment!