Representing U-Tsang province in the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, Tenzin Jamyang, in an undated photo. TibetanParliament.org
By Lobsang Wangyal
McLEOD GANJ, India, 1 November 2020
Social media influencer Mila Rangzen from Jersey City, New Jersey, US, has lost his rights to vote or stand in elections as the Tibetan Election Commission (EC) penalised him for a comment against a member of the Tibetan exile Parliament who is running for re-election.
The verdict issued by the Tibetan Election Commission in Dharamshala on Friday found Rangzen guilty of vilifying Member of Parliament (MP) Tenzin Jamyang for voting for a non-U-Tsang candidate as Speaker of the Parliament in 2016.
Rangzen, who runs the Tibet Star YouTube channel, accused Tenzin Jamyang of voting for someone from other than his own province, U-Tsang, for the post of Speaker. He posted the video on his channel on 8 September.
Khenpo Sonam Tenphel from Kham province was Speaker for half of the five-year term after the 2016 elections. The other half of the five-year term is being served by current Speaker Pema Jungney, as there was a tie in the number of votes for Speaker.
Jamyang became MP after Dhardon Sharling’s seat became vacant following Lobsang Sangay, President of Central Tibetan Administration, offered to make her a minister. When Jamyang became a member the Speaker’s post had already been decided.
The Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile is chosen by the 45 elected members of the Parliament. A member can vote for any MP from any province for the Speaker’s post.
Rangzen, an U-Tsang supremacist, apart from accusing Jamyang of voting for a non-U-Tsang member as speaker, asked all the voters from U-Tsang in India and Nepal not to vote for Jamyang.
Stating Rangzen’s charge as baseless, Jamyang complained to EC that Rangzen was hurting his reputation and causing a conspiracy against him to stop getting votes for him. Jamyang’s complaint was lodged a day after Rangzen’s post on YouTube on 8 September.
The EC found Rangzen to be in violation of Article 24 (3) of the election rules, and asked Rangzen to take down the video, which he refused to do. The EC then issued the verdict stripping him of the rights to vote or stand for election, till October 2028, for willfully vilifying Tenzin Jamyang to stop him from election victory, and engaging in divisive behaviour.
Answering queries from Tibet Sun, Rangzen said, “I stand by the allegation that I hurled at MP Tenzin Jamyang for voting Khenpo Tenphel as the Speaker of the current parliament. This is not a lie or a loose talk as he claims… To shoot him straight, I refuse to withdraw/delete the video until the election is over.”
He added, “I despise U-Tsangs who possess neither provincial pride nor courage, and without these two qualities, no U-Tsang can claim love and care for his province.”
Further accusing Jamyang, Rangzen asked, “Did he walk out of the Parliament when MP Tenpa Yarphel insulted His Holiness and Nechung Dralha Chenmo in 2018? No. Did he condemn Tulku Urgyen Topgyal when he called His Holiness a demon and a destroyer of Buddhism? No.”
Saying that it is the people’s responsibility to closely and critically monitor the candidates standing in the elections, he said, “It is my right and freedom of speech to tell voters whom to vote for or not. Election rules might be necessary, but they should make sense. You can’t take away my voting rights on such flimsy ground.”
Tibetans around the world will go to the polls on 3 January for the first round of voting to nominate the candidates. The final round of voting will be held on 11 April.
Election commission misuse his power of authority, in world stage we are condemning Chinese violations of freedom of speech but in exile our authority doing same on common citizens stripping freedom of speech, stripping the rights to votes of common citizens isn’t adequate, we are against election commission stripping the rights to vote of common citizens.
EC dumped freedom of speech of the Tibetan people. What is the difference between this kind of behaviour to suppress people’s views and China’s suppression of Tibetan people’s voice in Tibet. Could we now point fingers at China?
Anybody holding public positions are accountable to the people. They could be scrutinized and asked question related to their works. It is their duty to answer the questions or clarify any doubts. Mila asked questions and raised issues that’s related to voters from his constituency. It is Tenzin Jamyang’s duty to answer and clarify. If people are not convinced or satisfied with his answers or clarifications, people could campaign against him. This is part of the democratic process, and freedom of speech. There’s nothing personal issue in what Mila pointed out.
All the human rights groups, journalist associations, the funders to CTA, such as NED, etc, should take note of this unjust treatment towards Mila.
It’s such a shame that EC (Wangchuk Pesur) worked for Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, paying back what he is indebted to him. If they have any speck of shame and ethics, they should withdraw the eight year ban to vote or to stand in elections. Voting and to stand in elections are basic rights. These rights are not taken unless someone has committed a grave mistake, such as for a country or safety of the public, not for exercising ones freedom of speech.
EC’s recent decision of depriving Mila Rangzen from right to vote and right to run for the office until 2028 is totally unnecessary and undemocratic and must be withdrawn asap. This is inciting further division, distrust and disunity in our exile community which is very detrimental to democratic system.
Mila Rangzen is a good man as he always go with truth and dignity…so says his supporters. Maybe they know him. From what he does in Tibet Star I think he does not abide by basic journalism standards and his posts are cavalier about sourcing and fairness and balance.
So maybe the Supreme Commission that took up the Penpa Tsering complaint will take up the charges in Tibet Star?
There is a difference between journalism and hate speech. The said gentleman has been spewing venom to a particular group of people among the Tibetan diaspora. If a media person who observes their objectivity and report or make commentaries on any topic of interest, this is legal and if any power restricts such discourse, it would amount to censuring free speech.
However, here we are talking about a person who is using his platform to relentlessly attack a community for no other reason than racial prejudice. This is illegal in democratic countries around the world. In the Indian Penal Code, Article 153A “punishes persons who indulge in wanton vilification or attacks upon the religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc of any particular group or class or upon the founders and prophets of a religion”.
Tibetan parliamentarians should be free to make their decisions without the interference of any outside influence, be it individuals or groups. It’s not acceptable that some motormouth is keeping them hostage in the dispensation of their State duty. The Tibetan parliament is not a rubber stamp which does the bidding of anybody.
Whether it’s news print or audio they have to work within the parameters of media laws to respect the views of others even if they disagree. Making baseless accusations against those they hate and disparage and smear their reputation are bordering on libel.
Tenzin Jamyang did the right thing to complain about tarnishing his reputation by this person and I applaud the EC to censure him. I would also add the ex-monk of Namgyal monastery who has been doing the same. He has been maligning all those he hates by baseless and unfounded diatribe.
These people doesn’t help for the harmony or enlightening the community.
This is extremely alarming, taking away an individual’s rights for the simple fact of speaking his mind. Tibetans all over the world must counter this decision. This is unacceptable and must be rejected. This is the kind of judgement that takes us backwards instead of moving forward as society. Although, I don’t agree with everything Mr Rangzen has posted on his Yt channel but, I do appreciate him for bringing awareness to situations within our society through his vlogs. His contents may trigger many within our society, he is outspoken, controversial and a straight shooter. Someone like Mr Rangzen is critical for the growth of our young budding society. There are plenty of individuals within our society that deserve to have their rights revoked, but not this man. I demand that Mr Rangzen’s right to vote and right to run for the office of Tibet be reinstated.
Norbu la, you are right. EC taking away his right to vote is sending a very dangerous signal to all Tibetans and other independent democratic countries. Our democracy is not party system and individual has full right to criticize any official of CTA. We need to have Free Press and Media, not just that TTV which only say good things about the CTA. Where are the other media RFA, VOA, etc. Central Election Commission should focus more on inclusion and participation, not voter suppression. They should not deny his basic democratic right — THE RIGHT TO VOTE!
Fighting for own rights and freedom from oppression from others; freedom of expression by revealing the truth of our own community through media are the basic rights of all countries according to Human rights Association. This is what Mila (Tibetstar) has been doing. So, we (many Utsang) fully support him.
If Chithue Jamyang thinks that Mila is giving wrong information then prove Utsang memang. Did you oppose Tenpa Yarphel, urgen Topgyal and Tsamey Loga when they defame HH in the parliament or in any public meetings? Tell us what issues related to HH and Utsang did you raise so far in the parliament? If you are asking vote from Utsang then represent as Utsang.
It is great dangerous that EC commissioner should not interfere the freedom of Expression through Media by Mila. If Chithue Jamyang should take this case to our Justice System. Every Tibetans have right to express their opinion to elected Candidate. EC is wrong to deprive the right to Vote. EC commissioner to check the false information from the Candidate during speech or Campaign. Why EC have not interfered when Wisconsin Tibetan Association Board members allow Sikyong Candidate to use Official Media, Speech by WTA President, and I heard that he call all the Tibetan Community about his Visit. He and Board members should be denied the right to vote by breaking the EC rules.
The decision to rescind the voting rights of an individual is unprecedented in any democratic societies around the world. Why should we fight against the Chinese communists, if in the end, we are to create a new kind of communists to rule us in a free Tibet? We have always believed our Tibetan cause is a cause, essentially, to stand up for the Truth “Dhenpe Thaptso”. What astounds me gravely is the lack of dissent against such rulings by the independent institutions under the exile polity. What is the gift of democracy, if your voice is silenced, maimed, challenged on every occasion when you attempt to speak the truth to the people in power? What will we get after fighting for so long against the Chinese communist repression in Tibet——another group of dictators who are Tibetans? Do we want the change only in terms of ethnicity of the rulers to repress our basic human rights? Why CTA has been releasing documents after documents about the deteriorating human rights conditions under the Chinese communists’ rule when we can’t defend the basic human rights of the Tibetans in exile? Why the students/researchers, who published an open letter in Phayul in 2017 against the ostracization of former Sikyong candidate Lukar Jam, are now silent spectators for such gross exploitation of government agencies to score against their political opponents? Where are they now? Regionalism has always been there amongst us; it is only with time we’ve learned to veiled it. But in the last decade, we saw a surge in regional factionalism. Now it is time to face it, and don’t try to hide it. The Election commissioner Pesur must take all of our voting rights, those who have shown the courage to stand for the truth against his boss Lobsang Sangay and Kaydor.
Mila Mangzen is a good man as he always go with truth and dignity. But you jamyang, you are wolf wearing a sheep skin and your colleagues Dhadon Sharling, [EC] Wangdu and kaydor supporters etc…long live Mila Rangzen and look forward to hearing from you.
My take on recent Cholkha or tribalism in our community is top down phenomena. Remember in 2016 in one of public meetings at Dharamshala Tsuglagkhang, His Holiness the Dalai Lama clearly admonished Lobsang Sangay and Penpa Tsering that disparaging of Cholkhas against each other begins from top down and henceforth they must stop this.
Then it is very obvious Cholkha spigot is let loose in Chitue and the venom spreads to the community at large from there. Particularly Choeluk Chitues are good at this devious art and they have no qualms in losing their basic monkhood vows. Part of this blame must go to the constituencies who elects them. So we must do away with all the Chitues in all the three Cholkhas who clings adamantly to their tribal inclinations by voting them out this time. If my wish were granted I would do away electing Chitue affiliating with Cholkha and Choeluk. This is like a poison which would be the greatest obstacle to developing a full fledged democracy and unity in our exile community and for the future Tibet. But with the attempts in the past on the above matter, it is almost impossible that the Chitues would do away this malignant curse befallen on the entire Tibetan people. Otherwise generally amongst the ordinary Tibetans there is not much divisiveness and hatred between different Cholkhas and Choeluks since many had relationships of spouses, in laws, teacher-student, and inter mixed parentage etc.
Just checked to see if memory ok. Found Tibet.net says Cholkhasum is UTsang, kham n amdo.
Grew up with toe ngari korsum, bar UTsang ruzhi n med dokham gang Druk as the cholkhasum.
When did the changes take place? And what is with the yin yang in the Tibetan flag? When did these changes take place?
Norbu gakyil is genitalia x y symbol? Yinyang the supremacy of duality and the great Thirteenth had warm memories of Chinese killers chasing him out of his motherland so couldn’t find a Tibetan symbol?!
A few times I checked Tibet Star and listened to this so-called UTsang is Tibet site I couldn’t understand why he hasn’t been sued because he does not follow the AP Stylebook especially on libel…check his post on current Sikyong.
But his posts are similar to proBeijing posts on YouTube I feel. But I am more interested in the half Tibetan New York policeman: what made him tick? The contacts are available under FOIA.
As a nom de guer how does UTsang fake regionalism translate as AZhad?
I say fake UTsang because both Mila and Tibet.net conflates four valleys of UTsang to wipe out three mountain ranges of To Ngari korsum and the vast wilderness plains of changthang etc!
Mila Rangzen talked very straight and to the point. He has a right to protect his regionalism, he has a right to inform his U-stang people regarding voting and the candidates. He is the best fighter and we the younger generation follow him and respect his ideology. He never butter anyone to his own benefit. He talks straight.
In order to have a harmonious parliament, Tibetans should vote those who are against ཆོལ་ཁའི་འཐེན་འཁྱེར་ Choelka seperatists. When you vote people who are strongly choelka motivated thugs, what you get is internecine war among the Chitues in the parliament which totally incapacitates the parliament in doing anything about the issue of Tibet.
It creates a very toxic atmosphere which then spreads to the larger Tibetan community and divides ourselves. Since, nobody needs this toxic sludge to flow from Dharamshala into our homes, make sure to vote for young, energetic and pan-Tibet minded candidates.
This is how we have to make these opportunists defunct and create a United Tibetan community all across the world. I don’t know the candidates who are running but listening to the interviews that she was on Indian television, Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar is definitely the best candidate from U-Tsang. She is dedicated for Tibet. She got the determination and unshakable belief in her duty to work for Tibet.
I concur with daveno that this guy is selective among the U-Tsangpa. One very talented U-Tsang girl that was a rising star was Sharling Dhadon but he tried his best to demonize both Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar and Sharling Dhadon who are both from U-Tsang.
For him an Amdo man is more important than the best stars of U-Tsang. This shows he has NO GENUINE affection for U-Tsang and true U-Tsangpas. He is a pretender!!!
He has never spoken anything good about Jamyang Norbu who is the best writer among the Tibetan exiles in sixty years and the winner of CROSSWORD AWARD, which is equivalent to the famous Booker Prize literary award!!! He is also an U-Tsangpa.
We must reject ཆོལ་ཁའི་ཞེན་ཁོག་ from the people of all THREE PROVINCES. Only then, we will enjoy harmony among…
I am a tibetan born in shigatse and I am going to vote for jamyang la. Kis Kyi baap may hai tu, rok le!
Tibetan diaspora does’t seem to have a clear-cut rule on when to condemn someone and where the threshold lies. Often, the public decision is based on clan and tribal loyalties, not the public good.
When Jamyang Norbu, Lukar Jam, and ogyen topgyla said controversial stuff, everyone comes out and condemn them. But when Tsoksur Penpa Tsering supporters like kingpin Mila Rangzen, Dolma C Khoza, Lhak Sam khari thathuk, say controversial things such as criticizing the Tibetan leader Sir Lobsang Sangay, public were silent. Why??
I applaud Tenzin Jamyang la for the courage to speak against Mila Rangzen. We don’t need people like Mila Rangzen in our community. He is supposed to be Utsang supremacist. But then, even within Utsang province, he makes distinctions and categorize people. e.g. he is known to have said ‘Utsang sanjor are not as good as Utsang shichaks’, ‘Lobsang Sangay supporting Utsangs are brainless without self-esteem’, ‘In the game of football, Khampa sanjor will break all rules, and Utsang leyton referee will keep quiet and turn a blind eye’ or ‘Sanjor from Tibet Serta Tsultrim alleged a group of Utsang Shichak men from Bylakupee were making bon fire and smoking weed, and that newcomers like Serta had no clue about ways of enjoyment enjoyed by superior utsangs.’
This man is very toxic. He divides everyone and everything. He divides Khampa amdo utsang. Then, in Utsang, he divides sanjor from shichak, Rangzen people from Umaylaam people, Dongchung Ngodup supporters from Penpa Tsering supporters, dalai lama followers from lobsang sangay followers, democrat Tibetans from Republican Tibetans, young Tibetans from old Tibetans. He is the epitome of a divider in chief.
November 2, 2020, New Delhi: The Election Commission’s order removing Congress’s Kamal Nath as the star campaigner for the by-elections in Madhya Pradesh has been put on hold by the Supreme Court. “We are staying the Election Commission’s order and the EC has no power,” said Chief Justice of India SA Bobde.
“Who has given power to you (the Election Commission) to remove a candidate from the star campaigner list? It is you or a leader of the party?” Chief Justice Bobde said while hearing a petition filed by the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister“
Google Kamal Nath and EC. Although no fan of crazy Mila but this espisode by EC is over reach by EC and Mila should sue EC using Kamal Nath case as precedent, since we claim 99% of our laws are based on the foundation of democratic India’s constitution.
The effort of every Tibetan through out our struggle has been to unite our community in order to create a strong Tibetan Movement for the restoration of our independence.
However, some opportunists are hijacking the unity of the community on communal lines, This is a poison that is going to kill the Tibetan Movement. Any individual that indulges in hate speech must be condemned and must be curtailed by the authorities of the Tibetan Government.
Under the guise of free speech these people are sowing discord and distrust against a particular community and against the Tibetan leadership. This is not acceptable, HH The Dalai Lama curtailed Shugden precisely because of their sectarian nature which divides the Tibetan community.
Hence, those who divide us and weaken the Tibetan Movement must be curtailed because it is not in the national interest of the six million Tibetans who are suffering under the brutal occupation of the CCP.
Besides, they have used the sacred name of HH all the time as a sledge hammer to muzzle others whom they despise while they claim to be using their freedom of speech to perpetuate their hate speech! What an hypocrisy?
Whether they are Islamic terrorists, White supremacists, Han chauvinists, or U-Tsang supremacist are all extremists. They thrive by exploiting the most base human weakness of “us and they” communal hatred to gain legitimacy and pits innocent people against each other to achieve their nefarious agenda.
Hitler murdered six million Jews by demonising them to gain power. In India, the Bajrang Dal and Shive Sena are in the forefront of lynching Muslims in the name of protecting mother cow. The people who are perpetuating this among us should be taken to task before our community is torn asunder by these forces.