When I first heard of the Dalai Lama ages ago, my first impression was how can just a spiritual and peaceful guy be able to lead Tibet to independence from China. Come to think of it, so is Mahatma Gandhi, who love peace and strongly advocated non-violence campaigns and resistance against the British Colonialists in India. When the Dalai Lama was exiled, escaping to India in 1959, he had said that he is a great admirer of Gandhi.
However, on a closer look, their approaches are so different, Gandhi had initiated the Salt March in 1930, staved himself nearly to death to protest and directly challenge the colonialists. Whereas the Dalai Lama, after his exile, joined the Hollywood at the end of 1980s, to raise the international awareness of the Tibetans' struggle for independence, all the time, never really exerting direct resistance. Now, not everyone would want to be in Dalai Lama's position, being the spiritual leader in exiled, but still bearing the burdens of the people's heart for nearly half a century.
Also his exile does not bore down well with all his people. One had said that although the exile might make them (Dalai Lama) feel good, but life has in fact taken a turn for the worst, with the Chinese creating more controls over them.
The protest for the past weeks itself was somehow related to the US again. When last october, the congressional Gold award was presented to the Dalai Lama, many Tibetan monk celebrated the event watching it over the internet. The problem came when monks who set fireworks and threw barley flour to celebrate were arrested. It was here that many demand the release of these monks. However, this soon evolved into a protest by the Lhasas who felt that they were unhappy with the economic advantages that the Chinese had enjoyed over them for the last decade.
"So, on the one hand, he has to contend with Beijing calling him the mastermind of the violent protests in Lhasa, and to walk a diplomatic tightrope with the Indian authorities that host his government-in-exile but value their relationship with China; on the other hand he has to try and rein in the more violent and provocative elements among Tibetans whose actions, he fears, will damage his people's cause."
The Dalai Lama still insistence with his non-violence approach, told reporters in Dharamsala, "If things are getting out of control, then the option is to completely resign, completely resign!"
He added that he would persuade the protesters to stop as it would have implications for the Indian government and in his own words, "What's the use of some clash with Chinese soldiers on the border?" The Dalai Lama loves his people, but he is still on his approach, the "middle way", seeking dialogue with the Chinese leadership in search of a "genuine" autonomy for Tibet. Many opposed him and are getting impatient as the Olympics are coming, and they have to succeed while everyone is watching.
"Asked if they'd stop the march if asked to do so by the Dalai Lama, Tsewang Rigzin, president of the Tibetan Youth Congress, answered with an emphatic: "No." "
The Dilemmas of Dalai Lama
Times
Times
A misunderstanding occurred in 1987 when Dali Lama was denounced by the Chinese state media for putting forward a proposal on Capitol Hill. Being brought up under the communist system, the close proximity of Capitol Hill to the US leadership would mean to the Tibetans that Dalai Lama had a strong political support from the world's most powerful government. Protests began in Lhasa with the martial law was declared soon after. The brutal suppression the followed was orchestraed by the party secretary in Tibet, Mr Hu Jintao, who is now the Chinese President. 
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 returned:
Post a Comment