Home > News Archive > Tibetans protest outside Chinese Embassy in Delhi

Tibetans protest outside Chinese Embassy in Delhi

Agencies

A Tibetan exile shouts slogans from a police bus after being detained during a protest in front of Chinese embassy in New Delhi on 1 October 2009. About 40 exiles took part in the protest to condemn the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.Reuters/Parth Sanyal/India

Twenty-one Tibetans were arrested in New Delhi on Thursday from near the Chinese Embassy when they attempted to scale its wall and enter the premises to protest against Chinese rule in Tibet.

The protesters carrying black flags assembled in front of the Chinese Embassy in the high-security Chanakyapuri area to lodge their protest and attempted to enter the premises on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The protesters claimed that life in Tibet remains a day-to-day struggle to protect their culture and livelihood from Chinese tyranny. The Tibetan Youth Congress had organised the protest.

The Tibetans also accused China of doing little to improve their lives and expressed resentment over Beijing’s restrictions on freedom and religion.

“They have made their country rich by sucking people’s blood. They do not follow the path of truth. They kill our people and make their country rich,” a protester said.

“They (Chinese) are showing their power to the entire country. They are even trying to attack India. We Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) cannot sit quite. India is like our guide and we can even lay down our lives for it,” another protester said.

China has stepped up its military presence in Tibet and refused travel permits to tourists, journalists and other international observers.

According to sources, an estimated 1,200 Tibetans remain unaccounted for following a violent crackdown on demonstrations in March 2008.

Copyright © 2009 The Indian Express Limited.

Published in Indian Express