By Damdul, Tibbetan Scholar.
Introduction:
The recent passing away of Tsewang Norbu, a25-year-old Tibetan in Tibet due to major injuries sustained after hisself-immolation protest in front of the Potala palace in Lhasa - against thecurrent Chinese Communist government led by Xi Jinping shows the dire andcritical situation that Tibetans are and have been experiencing, since Chinainvaded Tibet more than 6 decades back.
Tibetans are largely peaceful people and tend tomind their own business with their stand of neutrality during the 1st and 2nd worldwars indicating it. Furthermore, the strong envelopment of Buddhism over Tibetto an extent also prevented Tibet from warfare which was becoming the trend ofthe world then and continues to do so even today withthe Russian army invading sovereign Ukraine territory and initiating war beingan epitome.
The Tibetans experienced their breaking pointand their move away from peace when China under its military arm the People’sLiberation Army marched into sovereign Tibetan territory. And it all culminatedto the 10th March Uprising in 1959 which continues tobe remembered and commemorated to this day.
The 10th March Uprising:
This uprising was a total revolution against theChinese army and its overreaching authority. Both of which were now exhibitingsigns of dictatorship and totalitarianism - never before experienced by theTibetans. Peace loving Tibetans even the monks who were forbidden to hurt otherbeings, now took up arms to protect their home physically and aspirationsmentally.
The already tense situation between the Tibetansand the invading Chinese was made worst when His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was secretly invited to attend atheoretical performance to be held in the Chinese military Headquarters inTibet (ironically built by Tibetans after the infamous and controversial 17th agreement for the peaceful liberation of Tibet). Thistruly made the bubble burst and the Tibetans prevented the Dalai Lama from attendingthis secret performance (the secret was leaked by Tibetans officials whomfeared for the life of the Dalai Lama to the masses) and drew a violentresponse and retaliation from the Chinese, who with total disregard to humanlife used artillery and shelled the capital city of Lhasa and the vicinity ofthe Potala Palace. This uprising lasted for several days with several majordevelopments taking place.
One, the 14th Dalai Lama along with many Tibetans sought refugeoutside Tibet. Secondly the capture of numerous Tibetans who were part of thisuprising indicated the template that China and its authority would follow inquelling such similar uprisings by people of the land - Tibetans. Thirdly, asweeping shut down of monasteries and religious institutes which Beijing saw asa thorn and obstacle in their goal of conquering Tibet both territorially andculturally as well.
The domino effects:
The uprising day still captures the mind andimagination of Tibetans worldwide and has had a wide ramification to Tibetansthroughout. Even past the 60 years of commemoration, it has become a rallyingcry for Tibetans against the harsh, inhuman, draconian and real brutality thatTibetans undergo day in and day out under Beijing’s duress and whims.
The first instance of a clear domino effect wasthe clear dislike and animosity towards the Chinese that fostered among theTibetans especially towards the communist party officials. Prior to this therewas a general sense of friendship between the Tibetans and its neighbor, theChinese but it all changed since the invasion and has been consolidated sincethe 10th March uprising.
The second effect is the frequent wave ofuprising and protest against the communist government of China both from insideTibet and the Tibetan diaspora. The 1987 protests, the 1989 protests, the 2008protests and the Self-Immolations that continue even today stand out. Indicate the spark and resistance that still remainsstrong among the Tibetans.
Thirdly, people worldwide now start to understandthe true on ground situation in Tibet and many have even started researchingabout the real Tibet. This is all due to the constant noise that the Tibetansmake every day but especially on the Tibetan Uprising Day on 10th March when Tibetans worldwide come together insolidarity to remember, commemorate and share the narratives of what reallyhappened to our once independent nation of Tibet that is still in the processof being plundered physically and traumatized mentally.
Continued repression in Tibet by Beijing:
Even though Tibetans have been able to share theworld their plight and have gained a large amount of sympathy, there has beenno real major developments when it comes to either the Tibetans in exilereturning back to Tibet or the Chinese guaranteeing freedom of religion andrights to the Tibetans.
Instead with the unprecedented rise of Chinasince its rapprochement with the USA in the 1970’s its economy has gone fromstrength to strengthen, that now it commands a sense of respect even from thewest and the global north. And with the whole Weltanschauung centered aroundeconomy, China in some light is even seen to be the center of everything now.
This has given them unprecedented power be itsoft, hard or even bio power. This power is showcased strongly within annexedterritories including Tibet and Xinjiang where now more than ever, in this openfree world these two regions remain the most secret, protected and censoredregions of the world. The example of the Tibetan diasporic community only ableto verify the death of a self-immolated Tibetan in Tibet after many years sincetheir passing away illustrated the tight net under which Tibetans live underBeijing rule. And each year this strong-hand governance, grows stronger andmore vigilant than ever. The recent mention of nearly 100% Tibetans possessingsmart phones who are under direct surveillances of the Communist governmentshows us the level of discretion in which Tibetans live in.
The latest reports of the destruction ofBuddhist sites and structures in Drakgo, Kham-eastern Tibet and theimprisonment of monks, women and men who all advocate their Tibetan mothertongue and tradition in annexed/occupied Tibet is a very sad predicament thatcontinues to worsen. And with President Xi Jinping consolidating his positioncome this November, one certainly cannot be optimistic of Tibet’s futureprospects.
Conclusion:
With the Tibetans commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day in the comingdays there has been many movements and mobilization taking place right fromCanada/USA in North America, France in Europe, India in Asia, South Africa inAfrica and in Australia. This shows the geographical spread of Tibetans andtheir story being shared to the world. We Tibetans must continue to tread inthis path but also engage in innovative means to ease the sufferings and burdencarried by our Tibetan sister and brother in Tibet who are directly under thethumb of Beijing.
Bibliography:
1. https://freetibet.org/news-media/na/march-10th-%E2%80%93-tibetan-uprising-day
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protests_and_uprisings_in_Tibet_since_1950
5. https://www.tibetwatch.org/30-years-of-resistance
6. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/potala-immolation-03042022175112.html
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