Mysuru: Hundreds of Tibetans, including Buddhist monks, took part in a protest march at the Bylakuppe Tibetan camp near Kushalnagar, demanding that China leave Tibet and grant independence to the region.
Protest follows activist’s death
The Tibetan community in Karnataka gathered at Bylakuppe, one of the largest Tibetan settlements in India, to protest the death of Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen, who reportedly self-immolated outside the United Nations Headquarters in New York in July.
Leaders of the Bylakuppe Tibetan Youth Congress appealed to the international community to support the Tibetan struggle and raise its voice for unity, justice, awareness and freedom.
Protesters raise concerns over Tibet
The protesters alleged that the Chinese government was undermining Tibetan culture and language through its policies.
They claimed that Tibetan children were being pressured to learn Chinese instead of Tibetan languages and alleged that children were being subjected to abuse under what they described as anti-Tibet policies.
Protesters also claimed that several Tibetan youths had died by suicide in Tibet in protest against alleged Chinese atrocities, while others had been arrested.
Monks and culture at centre of protest
The protesters further alleged that Chinese authorities had destroyed Buddhist monasteries, detained thousands of monks and introduced laws that negatively affected Tibetans.
Wrapping Tibetan flags around their bodies, the protesters marched towards the main road while raising slogans against China.
The gathering reflected the continued concerns among sections of the Tibetan community in Karnataka over the preservation of Tibetan culture, language, religious traditions and political aspirations.