In New Delhi, a significant clash erupted as a large group of Tibetan protesters confronted police outside the Chinese Embassy. The demonstrators gathered to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese control, an insurrection that was forcefully suppressed by Chinese forces. Similar to previous years, the authorities prevented the protesters from breaching the embassy’s perimeter, detaining several individuals momentarily after subduing them.
Simultaneously, several hundred Tibetans convened in Dharamshala, a northern Indian town that holds symbolic importance as the headquarters of the exiled Tibetan government and the residence of the Dalai Lama, their revered 89-year-old spiritual figure. Meanwhile, approximately a hundred Tibetan women assembled at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, a notable protest venue close to the Indian Parliament.
Throughout the demonstrations, participants vociferously chanted slogans opposing Chinese policies, proudly displayed Tibetan flags, and played musical anthems from both Tibet and India. Although India officially acknowledges Tibet as a territory of China, it remains home to the Tibetan exiles following the 1959 uprising—an event that resulted in the Dalai Lama and his followers fleeing to India after the Chinese military intervention.
Some demonstrators showcased the colors of the Tibetan national flag on their faces. A moment of silence was observed to honor the Tibetans who sacrificed their lives in their struggle against Chinese rule. The crowd included monks, activists, nuns, and schoolchildren, all displaying banners inscribed with messages such as “Free Tibet” and “Remember, Resist, Return.”
Penpa Tsering, the leader of the Central Tibetan Administration, the name given to the Tibetan government-in-exile, condemned the Chinese leadership, accusing it of a systematic and perilous campaign to eradicate the Tibetan people’s unique identity. “This marks the darkest and most critical period in the history of Tibet,” stated Tsering during the demonstration. “As we commemorate the Tibetan National Uprising Day, we honor our brave martyrs and express solidarity with our brothers and sisters inside Tibet who continue to languish under the oppressive Chinese government.”
The exiled Tibetan government in India continues to allege that China is trampling on basic human rights in Tibet, striving to erase the region’s distinct cultural identity. While China asserts its longstanding claim over Tibet, stating it has been part of its territory for centuries, many Tibetans argue that the Himalayan region functioned as an independent entity until it was seized by China in 1950. The Dalai Lama has consistently refuted claims made by China branding him as a separatist, emphasizing his call for significant autonomy and the preservation of Tibet’s indigenous Buddhist culture.
