CTA President Denounces Divisive Politics, Calls it a Cancerous Disease Destroying Tibetan Unity

DHARAMSHALA: Dr Lobsang Sangay, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, today denounced regionalism, sectarianism and divisive politics as cancer that begins innocuously but gradually destroys the fabric of Tibetan unity.

“The unity of the three traditional provinces of Tibet is a symbol of Tibetan strength and resilience against the atrocities of China. Tibetan unity is crucial to the success of the Tibetan movement, and sends a strong message to China that Tibetans will not be bogged down by China’s attempts to divide the community,” he said.

He made the statements at the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Dharamshala Tibetan settlement. Other guests at the celebration include Shri C P Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Kangra, and Acharya Yeshi Phunstok, Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament.

In his address, President Dr Lobsang Sangay thanked India, particularly the people and government of Himachal Pradesh, for providing a sanctuary for the Tibetan people and the Central Tibetan Administration. He said India is Tibet’s most loyal and staunchest ally, and that Tibetans will never forget the generosity of India. He encouraged Tibetans to maintain harmonious relations with local Indians and increase people to people contacts.

President Dr Sangay further denounced the few fringe elements criticising His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the name of freedom of expression. “Criticism of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is absolutely unacceptable to the Tibetan administration as well as to the Tibetan people. His Holiness is a beacon of compassion and tolerance. He himself doesn’t care about criticisms but it deeply hurts the Tibetan people,” he said.

“Moreover, the criticism of these minor group of people is not based on sound judgment or reason. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the single most important person in the history of the Tibetan people and the Tibetan freedom movement,” he added.

He promised the Kashag’s wholehearted efforts to fulfil the aspirations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to alleviate the sufferings of the Tibetan people inside Tibet based on the Middle Way Approach.

Dr Sangay also assured the Kashag’s continued endeavour to look after the welfare of the Tibetan people in exile and pledged to eradicate poverty in the Tibetan exile community.

Shri C P Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Kangra, congratulated the Tibetan community for completing 50 years in Dharamshala. He said the district administration is honoured to host His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala.

He also promised to look after the challenges being faced by the Tibetan people in Dharamshala, such as the regularisation of the lands on which Tibetan homes are built and filing of legal papers.

Settlement officer Dawa Rinchen read out a report of the achievements and activities of the Tibetan settlement office over the last 50 years. The office also presented souvenirs to present and past settlement officers of Dharamshala.

The anniversary function also included daylong cultural performances and distribution of snacks and refreshments.