New Delhi : A three-member Tibetan Parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok advocates for Tibet during the ongoing winter session calling upon 21 Indian MPs from 14 different states of 5 major political parties from both Parliament houses in the last three days. Concurring with the winter session of the Indian Parliament, the week-long Tibet advocacy campaign was launched on 18th of this month.
“We are primarily focusing on reaching out to the Indian Parliamentarians who are newly elected to the 16th Parliament. Out of 543 Indian Parliamentarians elected to the 16th Lok Sabha, 315 (or 58%) are first time MPs. This is a record number of first-time MPs in Indian Parliament history over 30 years. Therefore we deem it absolute necessary to reach out to these Parliamentarians and apprise them on Tibet and the Tibetan freedom struggle”, said Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, the head of the delegation.
While updating the members on the current dire situations in Tibet and the ongoing Tibetan struggle in exile, the delegates urged the lawmakers to raise the issue of Tibet during the Parliamentary proceedings and bolster their support for Tibet on individual capacity and through their respective Political parties.
Most importantly, the delegates also requested the Indian MPs to participate in the All-India Parliamentary Forum for Tibet and help revitalize the Forum to bolster Tibet advocacy in the Indian Parliament and various international platforms. The delegates solicited the presence of the Indian parliamentarians on the upcoming conclave of the All Party Parliamentarian Forum for Tibet and the 7th World Parliamentarians’ Convention for Tibet (WPCT).
During the entire campaign, the Indian leaders accorded a heart-warming reception to the Tibetan MPs. While expressing their utmost love and reverence for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, they assured their strong support and solidarity for the Tibetan cause and pledge to do their utmost for Tibet. They especially assured that they would discuss and deliberate on Tibet issues with their colleagues, Party leaders and the Government of India whenever opportunity arises. During the meeting, the Indian lawmakers earnestly lauded the undying spirit and commitment of the Tibetans inside Tibet and exile in carrying forward the Tibetan freedom struggle for over 60 years and admired the Tibetans for their moral values and simple dispositions.
They also urged the Tibetan delegation to keep them updated of the Tibet situation and to call on at regular intervals in future. They earnestly offer their valuable guidance regarding the future course of actions for Tibet etc.
The delegation led by the Deputy Speaker included Ven. Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen and Mr. Lobsang Yeshi. They were accompanied by Parliamentary Speakers’ Secretary Ms Kalsang Youdon. The current Parliamentary campaign was coordinated by Mr. Tenzin Paljor of India-Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) based in New Delhi.
