Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, April 24: The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), one of the largest pro-independence organizations in exile, concluded its 25-day “Black Hat March” in New Delhi on Friday, culminating in a final protest action at Jantar Mantar. The march, which covered more than 570 kilometres across four Indian states, was launched to oppose China’s recently adopted law, ostensibly “Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress,” set to come into effect on July 1.
A group of 65 activists representing 20 Tibetan regions across India arrived in the national capital on Wednesday after nearly a month of marching, demonstrations, and public outreach. The march began on March 31 from Lhagyal Ri in Dharamshala and was initially scheduled to conclude on April 25, coinciding with the 37th birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama.
However, due to a change in circumstances—particularly as April 25 falls on a Saturday when key offices in Delhi such as the United Nations and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) remain closed—the organizers advanced their concluding protest and submissions.
Speaking to Phayul, TYC Vice President Tashi Targyal said the group successfully submitted appeal letters to both the United Nations office and the PMO. “In these submissions, we clearly outlined the four main objectives of the Tibetan Youth Congress’s Black Hat March,” he stated.
He noted that the delegation received a positive and encouraging response. “Representatives from the United Nations office came out to meet us and accepted our appeal. They assured us that they are paying attention to the situation inside Tibet, particularly regarding the imposition of laws that unjustly target Tibetans, which we do not accept. They stated that they will continue to monitor the situation and do what they can,” he said.
He further added that representatives from the PMO acknowledged ongoing attention to the Tibetan issue. “They emphasized concerns, including the current laws affecting Tibet, environmental issues in Tibet, and the condition of Tibetan political prisoners. They also expressed appreciation for the peaceful efforts and thanked both the Indian government and the public,” he said. According to him, officials also commended the activists’ dedication to carrying out the campaign despite harsh weather conditions and encouraged the continuation of such initiatives.
Reflecting on the broader impact of the march, Tashi Targyal said the campaign succeeded in raising awareness across the four states it traversed. “This gives us a sense of encouragement and fulfillment. That said, this is just one phase of our movement. The ultimate goal is to establish truth and justice inside Tibet. Until that truth prevails, we must continue our efforts and activism,” he remarked.
Addressing the challenges faced during the journey, he acknowledged that difficulties are inevitable in such prolonged campaigns. “From the very beginning, we were mentally prepared. The main motivation behind this movement has been to keep in our hearts the suffering and hardships faced by Tibetans inside Tibet—people who live without freedom and continue to endure immense difficulties,” he said.
While no major obstacles arose, participants endured several minor hardships, including physical strain such as pain and swelling in their legs, as well as extreme weather conditions ranging from intense heat to cold. Despite these challenges, Tashi Targyal expressed gratitude to all participants and supporters for maintaining a strong sense of purpose and commitment throughout the march.
“At this stage, it is difficult to say that we have achieved complete success. However, considering the entire course of this campaign, we feel that it has yielded meaningful and encouraging results,” he said, adding, “This sense of achievement is shared by everyone who took part in and contributed to the movement.”
