DHARAMSHALA: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama's statement on Thursday that Tibet did not seek independence from China but wanted greater development has elicited mixed reactions here. However, the Tibetan government has supported the middle-way approach of the Dalai Lama.
Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), which is one of the largest organisations fighting for freedom, maintained that they respect everyone's opinion but Tibet was an independent country and it is their right to struggle for its freedom. "We are not opposing anything and respect everyone's opinion. But our struggle is for freedom of Tibet and it will go on," said Tenzin Jigme, president of TYC, at its headquarters near here.
The Students For A Free Tibet (SFT) is another organisation fighting for the Tibetan cause. It is operating in 30 countries across the world. "In any movement for independence there are different methods and ideologies to reach a goal. We respect the Dalai Lama's vision - this is one thing, but there are so many things that can be done for Tibet cause. The SFT believes that Tibet is an independent country and we are working towards that," said Tsehla, national executive director of the SFT.
The Tibetan Women Association (TWA) has also sought autonomy for Tibet. "We are seeking genuine autonomy. The Dalai Lama has never said that Tibet is not an independent country," said Dolma Yangchen, president of the TWA.
Tenzin Tsundue, a Tibetan poet, said, "The Dalai Lama's statement cannot be taken as not wanting independence and supporting China. Given a chance, who would not want freedom? The Dalai Lama is a Buddha, he can envision living with enemy but the demand of the Tibetans in only human, and they want freedom."
The official portal of the Tibetan government the Dalai Lama as saying: "We are not seeking independence...We want to stay with China. We want more development." It further stated, "Past is past, we have to look towards future. Since 1974 we are not seeking independence. Tibetans also want modernized Tibet. We need more development. For this, remaining with China is in our interest, provided they respect Tibet's unique culture and heritage."
Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), which is one of the largest organisations fighting for freedom, maintained that they respect everyone's opinion but Tibet was an independent country and it is their right to struggle for its freedom. "We are not opposing anything and respect everyone's opinion. But our struggle is for freedom of Tibet and it will go on," said Tenzin Jigme, president of TYC, at its headquarters near here.
The Students For A Free Tibet (SFT) is another organisation fighting for the Tibetan cause. It is operating in 30 countries across the world. "In any movement for independence there are different methods and ideologies to reach a goal. We respect the Dalai Lama's vision - this is one thing, but there are so many things that can be done for Tibet cause. The SFT believes that Tibet is an independent country and we are working towards that," said Tsehla, national executive director of the SFT.
The Tibetan Women Association (TWA) has also sought autonomy for Tibet. "We are seeking genuine autonomy. The Dalai Lama has never said that Tibet is not an independent country," said Dolma Yangchen, president of the TWA.
Tenzin Tsundue, a Tibetan poet, said, "The Dalai Lama's statement cannot be taken as not wanting independence and supporting China. Given a chance, who would not want freedom? The Dalai Lama is a Buddha, he can envision living with enemy but the demand of the Tibetans in only human, and they want freedom."
The official portal of the Tibetan government the Dalai Lama as saying: "We are not seeking independence...We want to stay with China. We want more development." It further stated, "Past is past, we have to look towards future. Since 1974 we are not seeking independence. Tibetans also want modernized Tibet. We need more development. For this, remaining with China is in our interest, provided they respect Tibet's unique culture and heritage."
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