OPINION
While not claiming a direct causal link to the recent and widely welcomed amendment of the Charter of Tibetans in Exile by the Tibetan Parliament in Exile—which allows for the appointment of Justices to the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, Prof. Nawang Phuntsog* highlights that the “People’s Movement for Securing the Central Tibetan Administration,” which campaigned for this change, exemplified the power of unity and collective strength when people rally around a shared cause.
In the past four years, the Tibetan Parliament in Exile has, by its own doing, subjected the Tibetan public to a tumultuous ordeal, with clear signs foreshadowing the weakening of the Tibetan establishment in exile. However, during its final session, the recently concluded 17th Tibetan Parliament in Exile marked a significant turning point—much to the relief of many, particularly those involved in the well-organized “People’s Movement for Securing the Central Tibetan Administration.” The participants of this movement were visibly emotional, with many moved to tears as they heard the TPiE’s charter amendment announcement. Although no direct causal link is suggested here, the timing of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile’s (TPiE) decision to amend the Charter of Tibetans in Exile at the last moment of its session and the mounting wave of public advocacy were on full public display. The advocacy participants watched the Tibetan Parliament session proceedings in real-time on a big screen, with the anxious eagerness of high school students waiting for the announcement of the final school examination result.
It is puzzling why the Tibetan Parliament in Exile members, supposedly the sacred representatives of the public, had the audacity and inclination to prolong an ordeal that was both unnecessary and entirely avoidable. Yet, it lasted for over three years. The deadlock originated from the infamous Resolution 39, which sought to remove the justices in what seemed like a bitter act of retaliation. This occurred after the supreme justice commissioners, fulfilling their judicial responsibilities, imposed a nominal penalty on the TPiE’s Standing Committee for failing to convene a meeting during the COVID pandemic. The Parliament’s Standing Committee could have quickly resolved the issue through an online meeting or handled it internally, given that the pandemic forced everyone to adapt without exception.
After years of stalemate in the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, many Tibetans have questioned the relevance of Parliament members representing various Tibetan Buddhist schools. These clergy representatives, skilled in parliamentary debate and rhetoric, have been seen as obstructing resolutions that could have broken the deadlock. As a result, the Parliament’s focus has been diverted from critical issues, such as the ongoing suppression of religious and linguistic rights in Tibet. While religion itself is not to blame, the clergy’s frequent attempts to inject unnecessary polemics into parliamentary sessions have disillusioned the general public, leaving many to painfully reflect on how religion, in the political context of Tibetan exile, can be both a blessing and a curse. While the participation of clergy in the parliamentary process is a unique feature of the Tibetan exile establishment, recent questionable events have left an obnoxious and repulsive taste in the general public’s mouth.
The gravity of the situation became unmistakable when several individuals questioned the wisdom of Resolution 39 from the outset, yet the TPiE remained as immovable as a stubborn mule. This resolution had far-reaching consequences, the chief among them being that the judiciary—one of the three pillars of Tibetan democracy in exile—was left in limbo for more than three years. The issue became so severe that the public could no longer sit idly by. This gave rise to the “Advocacy of the General Public for the Sustainability of the Central Tibetan Administration,” a grassroots movement aimed at restoring the judicial branch. The movement was built on voluntary participation and led by three remarkable leaders: Mr. Tseten Phuntsok La, Ms. Tenyang La, and Mr. Tsering Siten La, who conducted numerous online meetings as part of their mobilization efforts. These leaders deserve recognition for their commendable public service, cooperative spirit, and ability to present a clear, powerful, and rational case. With humility and grace, the three leaders spoke in public and in online meetings with dignity, integrity, and courage, leaving a lasting impression on all who heard them. Many wish them to be members of the Tibetan Parliament and elevate it to greater success for the common good. Ms. Tenyang La appeared as anyone’s loving sister, but when she spoke, she delivered her message with force and a clear sense of purpose. She always folded her hands and paid sincere homage to His Holiness before beginning her speech, leaving all with deep admiration for her courageous humility.
The dynamism of this leadership trio became evident when they successfully mobilized nearly 1,000 Tibetans, young and old, monks, and nuns from multiple countries, who assembled in Dharamshala just as the 17th Tibetan Parliament in Exile was set to convene on September 11, 2024. This massive gathering included members from 25 regional chapters from India, Nepal, Europe, Australia, and North America. Thanks to the active engagement of members from these Chapters, the advocacy was a mobilization force to reckon with. It is difficult to recall a public mobilization as effective and impactful as this one, which brought heightened attention and pressure on the need to restore the judiciary within Tibetan democracy. Funded by voluntary contributions from Tibetans across the globe, united by a common purpose, to ensure the sustainability of the Central Tibetan Administration as a viable institution capable of resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict for the welfare of six million Tibetans, this movement showcased the power of unity and strength when people rally around a shared cause.
More than just a source of inspiration, the public advocacy movement proved the transformative potential of collective action when common interests are threatened, undermined, or hijacked by partisan or sectarian forces. Like many public interest groups around the world, this advocacy movement was conceived with the sole aim of serving the collective good. The organization must continue to raise public awareness and mobilize people to act whenever needed. Its success should serve as a clarion call: this movement will be there when duty calls.
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* A USA Professor Emeritus of Education, Nawang Phuntsog is the author of a recent book, “Learning at the Feet of Adversity: A Tibetan-American Educator’s Odyssey,” published by the Library of Tibetan Works & Archives.