Navneet Anand

NEW DELHI, OCT 1: An International satyagraha is being launched today to persuade the Chinese authorities to hold an unconditional dialogue with Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. The first batch of around 100 Indian satyagrahis will leave from Gangtok today for Tibet.

A number of national leaders, human rights groups, Budhhist organisations and youth associations have extended their support to the satyagraha. Expressing support for the agitation, former Lok Sabha speaker Rabi Ray said: ``It is tragic that the people of Tibet are living in agony and pain under Chinese military vigilance. I am distressed by the reports of brutalities towards monks, nuns and other political prisoners in Tibet.''

Ray appealed to the Chinese leadership and world statesmen to respond to the ``middle path'' approach of the Dalai Lama.

Wishing the satyagrahis well, Ray said: ``I pray for a constructive outcome of the satyagraha so that amity between the Chinese and Tibetan people becomes a reality. It will help the process of peace and harmony in the whole of Asia.''

Copyright 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.

from Alliance Francophone pour le Tibet Libre