World Tibet Network News Wednesday, April 29, 1998

TRIBUNE, India, APRIL 29,1998

The Tibetan government-in-exile is in a fix over yesterday's incident of self-immolation by a Tibetan in Delhi as the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) has hinted at further intensifying their agitation.

A spokesman of the Tibetan government, Mr. Thupten Samphel, said the Dalai Lama was himself confused and in a dilemma. "He cannot ask the protesters to end their fast as he has no alternative to offer to them at the moment," he said. "Though we have great admiration for the courage and determination of these young Tibetans, at the same time we cannot encourage them to resort to extreme steps like self-immolation," he added.

The Dalai Lama had met the six persons on fast in Delhi before leaving for Japan. He is learnt to have told them that he was against the idea of fasts in protest as causing harm to oneself also amounted to a violent act.

On the other hand, before starting the fast on March 10, the TYC had asked the Dalai Lama not to ask them to stop as he had succeeded in persuading them in the past.

Mr. Samphel said the act of self-immolation by a Tibetan was an indication that they were getting more angry and frustrated. "Since we are here in India at the goodwill of the government, we must not resort to activities which may embarrass it in the eyes of other nations," remarked the spokesman.

The general secretary of the TYC Mrs. Yangchen Dolkar, when contacted, said that they would continue the agitation at any cost. "Unless and until we get a positive response from the United Nations or the Chinese Government, there is no question of calling off the strike," she asserted. Regarding the self-immolation bid, she said this was his individual decision and none of the TYC office-bearers were aware of it. In fact, everyone present at Jantar Mantar, where the protesters are sitting , was shocked on seeing a person setting himself ablaze, she said.

When asked if the TYC was going to issue directions to its members to refrain from self-immolation, she said the angered protesters might not listen. Ever since the news of self-immolation had spread, more and more Tibetans were volunteering to go on fast. "Carried away by patriotism, there is a possibility that some more Tibetans might try self-immolation," felt Mrs. Dolkar.

She said a fresh batch of six persons had gone on fast on Sunday night. Thupten Ngodup, who resorted self-immolation yesterday, was in this batch. Mrs Dolkar said the incident should be an eye-opener to the world. She regretted that despite the fast entering the 49th day today, the UN or the Chinese Government had failed to give any positive response.