HISTORIC DECISION From Theocracy To Democracy

Himalayan Guardian March 23, 2011

EDITORIAL

HISTORIC DECISION

From Theocracy To Democracy

The Dalai Lama’s decision to bid adieu to his role as the temporal leader of the Tibetans cannot and should not be taken lightly. It has indeed political, religious and historical implications. Songtsen Gampo (569-650), the first Chogyal (dharmaraj) of Tibet who was regarded as an incarnation of Avalokiteshwara, ruled the country wielding secular and religious power. In the 8^th century, Chogyal (king) Trisong Detsen, who ruled Tibet from 755 until 797, established Buddhism in Tibet with the help of Lord Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche). From around mid-13^th century, the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, ruled Tibet under the patronage of Mongol rulers. Their hegemony over Tibet lasted well over a century until 1358 when central Tibet came under the control of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

The rise of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism led to Lobsang Gyatso, the Great Fifth Dalai Lama (1617-1682), exercising effective political control over central Tibet. It was the 5^th Dalai Lama who established the Potala Palace in Lhasa as his seat of power and unified Tibet. Since then Tibet was ruled by succeeding  Dalai Lamas from the Potala until the Communist takeover of the country in 1959, leading to the 14^th Dalai Lama Tenzing Gyatso taking refuge in India. Even during the 50-year period of his exile in India the Dalai Lama headed the exiled Tibetan Government from Dharamsala as its spiritual and temporal leader.

The Dalai Lama’s recent decision to hand over temporal leadership of the Tibetans to the elected representatives of the people, viewed from the historical perspective, is both a revolutionary and historic act. He is not only saying that the Tibetans should now embrace democracy but also wants them to think seriously on separation of the political and religious spheres in governance of the Tibetan people which has been in existence for centuries. The Tibetans, whose life revolves around religion, will understandably take a longer time to view things from the Dalai Lama’s perspective. However, if they still have faith in their revered guru they should follow his path and embrace his decision even it is difficult for them to understand at this stage the political vision that the Dalai Lama has for Tibet and the Tibetan people.

Tibetans vote to elect new prime minister-in-exile

 Arvind Sharma

Dharamsala, March 22: Thousands of Tibetans across the world on Sunday voted to elect the prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, an exercise that may usher in a transition in the community's leadership following the Dalai Lama's "flat refusal" to reconsider his decision to retire as its political head.

"As many as 83,399 exiled Tibetan settled in India, Nepal, Bhutan, the United States, European countries, Australia, Japan, Russia and other countries were eligible to exercise their franchise to elect the Prime minister and 43 members of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile," Jamphel Choesang, chief election commissioner, said.

He said Tibetans across the globe took active interest in participating in the elections and expressed happiness at the "peaceful" conduct of polls.

The one-day election aroused great interest this time, as it would be for the first time that an elected prime minister would function as democratic head sans possible active guidance of the 75-year-old Dalai Lama.

The five-year tenure of the prime minister would be significant as it could mark a transition from "one-man leadership" of the Dalai Lama to a democratically elected government of exiled Tibetans.

The Dalai Lama, a Nobel peace prize winner, has been both the spiritual and the political head of the Tibetan government-in-exile which he had founded after fleeing to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet.

"The regional election commissions will send their compiled documents to the head office in Dharamsala before 15 April. After receiving all the documents, the head office will compile the final declaration," Choesang said, adding that the results would be announced on April 27.

The three candidates in the fray for the post of the prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, which is known as 'Kalon Tripa' in Tibetan language, are -- Lobsang Sangay, Tenzin Namgyal Tethong and Tashi Wangdi.

Lobsang Sangay is a senior fellow of Harvard Law School, whereas Tenzin Namgyal Tethong is a diplomat also settled in the US. Tashi Wangdi was the Dalai Lama's representative in Brussels, New York and New Delhi.

Tibetan officials maintain that the main contest was between the US-based candidates Sangay and Namgyal. Sangay had emerged as the front-runner during the October 3, 2010 primary poll for nomination of prime ministerial candidates.

Sangay, 43, got the maximum number of 22,489 votes while Namgyal got the second highest of 12,319 votes in the primary elections that recorded 61 per cent polling.

The votes polled in Nepal and Bhutan were not counted in the primary round. "More than 1,000 votes could not be counted as 18 ballot boxes were seized by the Nepal police at polling booths in Kathmandu," Tibetan officials said, adding it had been done apparently under the Chinese pressure.

"Similarly, the Bhutanese government had ordered Tibetan authorities there not to send the ballot papers to the election commission in Dharamsala and 613 votes cast in Bhutan had also remained uncounted," they said.

The incumbent Prime Minister-in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche had become the first elected prime minister for a five-year term in September 2001 after the Dalai Lama called for a directly elected political leader of the exiled Tibetans. At that time, there was only one candidate in the fray. Rinpoche was re-elected in 2006.

There are more than 140,000 exiled Tibetans and over one lakh are settled in different parts of India.

The Dalai Lama had ruled out reconsidering his decision to quit as the political head of the community despite a plea by the Tibetan parliament-in-exile.

He returned the resolution passed by Tibetan parliament-in-exile, asking him to reconsider his decision and made it clear that he was firm on his "well thought of decision" to hand over power to a democratically elected leader, Joint Secretary at the Dalai Lama's office Tenzin Taklha, had said.

"Now, a decision on this important matter should be delayed no longer and all the necessary amendments to the Charter and other related regulations should be made during this session of parliament so that I am completely relieved of formal authority," the Dalai Lama had said in the message.

Gorkhaland Forum begins signature campaign

Gangtok, March 22: The recently-formed Sikkim Solidarity Forum for Gorkhaland (SSFG) is likely to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil on April 26 next month urging for speedy formation of Gorkhaland State in neighbouring Darjeeling.

The memorandum will be backed by about one lac signatories, Forum’s Chief Convenor Bharat Basnett said. The signature campaign began here yesterday during a press briefing by Forum leaders, including Basnett and CC Shengderpa.

The memorandum will also be submitted to UPA chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi and leaders of national parties, Basnett said.

He said there will be no peace in Sikkim if people of Darjeeling continue to live in distress and without a homeland of their own.

Darjeeling continues to suffer even after 64 years of India’s independence, Basnett said while adding that even drinking water continues to be a big problem for the people.

While urging the people of Sikkim to support the Gorkhaland ground on “humanitarian ground”, Basnett said the West Bengal Government has paid scant regard to the 1200 Gorkhas who died for Gorkhaland.

Alleging that “there is no law and order” in West Bengal, Basnett said nothing is done about the slaughter of Gorkha leaders such as C K Pradhan, Rudra Pradhan and Madan Tamang.

Mamata promises peace in Darjeeling after polls

Darjeeling, March 22: The Trinamool Congress has promised to bring peace back to Darjeeling within 100 days if it forms the government after the ensuing Assembly polls in April-May.

However, this will not be at the cost of a divided Bengal, according to the party’s election manifesto released in Kolkata on Monday.

“Trinamool Congress does not want division of Bengal. In order to build cordial relationship between the residents of hills and plains we would take effective steps within 100 days of government formation to bring back peace and tranquillity,” said the manifesto released by party chief Mamata Banerjee.

“Trinamool Congress doesn't believe in the atrocities that are being carried out in the name of joint forces operation. Only developmental work and human face can bring back peace in the area and solve the problem,” said the manifesto.

The party, in its manifesto, has given special emphasis on large-scale industrial investments, agriculture, minority and backward communities’ welfare, tourism, education and healthcare infrastructure.

The Trinamool manifesto has made it clear the party does not support the joint forces’ operations in Jungalmahal and promises to resolve the problem of the area through peaceful means. It also promises peace in Darjeeling hills within 100 days of its coming to power, without dividing Bengal.

In the supplementary provided with the manifesto, the party has mentioned that within the first 200 days of its coming to power, the party will focus on employment generation and industrial revival, with special emphasis on micro, small and medium industries (MSMEs).

 During the first 200 days, 17 clusters will be converted into world-class centers of excellence, it says. The manifesto proposes to develop a host of industries in the strife-torn regions of the State. The party also proposes to re-start and re-model the closed public sector enterprises and attract large private investments in sectors like engineering, steel, tea, jute, textiles, mining, power and food processing.

Ghising makes the first move, fields 3 candidates for Assembly polls

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, March 22: Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) supremo Subash Ghisingh has taken the initiative and fielded three candidates from his party to contest the ensuing Assembly polls.

The party’s candidate from Kalimpong is Prakash Dahal, a former nominated councilor of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC).

Bhim Subba, a retired Naik of the 11 Gorkha Rifles and a former extension officer of the DGHC’s social education department in Sukhiapokhri, has been nominated for Darjeeling.

Pemu Chhetri, a 41-year-old housewife from Garidhura, has replaced sitting GNLF MLA Shanta Chhetri in Kurseong.

The GNLF and CPM were not invited to a meeting called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha recently to field consensus candidates for the three Assembly constituencies in the hills.

The party’s demand for 6^th Schedule status for the hills is likely to be the main issue for the polls, sources said.

The names of the party’s candidates were declared during a press conference held by Ghising in Jalpaiguri, where he resides, today. In the last Assembly polls the GNLF had won all the three seats in the hills. Ghising is all set to return to the hills to campaign for his party.

Morcha sources said names of consensus candidates will be announced by March 24-25 after the meeting of its central committee.

There is no democracy in Sikkim, dictators running SDF: Golay

Gangtok, March 22: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s dissident leader and former minister P S Tamang (Golay) has now come out openly against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

 Reacting against the recent Singling (west Sikkim) incident, where one of his supporters was brutally assaulted by supporters of Roads and Bridges Minister T B Subba, Golay said the people in the State were not only unsafe but also did not enjoy “democratic rights”.

In protest against the prevailing situation in the State Golay has resigned as Chairman of the State Commerce and Industries Development Board. In his resignation letter to Chief Secretary TT Dorji, the former minister said “public life” and “public properties” in the State were not safe as the people were deprived of their “democratic rights.”

In a press release after the Singling incident, Golay, while demanding Subba’s resignation from the Cabinet and Assembly, said, “Today, the people of Sikkim have lost their faith on the SDF party. The party is trying to retain its support base through threats and only the feudalistic elements and dictators have their say in the party.”

The Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) has strongly condemned the use of physical intimidation and violent tactics adopted by the ruling party Minister in the Singling incident.

Party President Biraj Adhikari said the ruling party is responsible for erosion of “democratic values” in the State. While demanding Subba’s resignation the SNPP has asked for “free and fair investigation” into the Singling incident.

Supporting Golay is AD Subba, President of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRPP), who has sought for Governor BP Singh’s intervention.

India faces danger from China: BJP

P. Ghosh

Guwahati, March 22: Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh yesterday said India was facing great danger from within and outside with China claiming Arunachal Pradesh was a part of it while infiltrators were creating trouble.

"China is claiming that Arunachal Pradesh is theirs when it is a part of India. They issue stapled visas to people from Arunachal," Singh said while speaking at a party meeting.

"India should also tell China that it would issue stapled visas to people coming from Tibet to India. But India does not have the courage to do so," added Singh.

Charging the Congress-led central government of being "weak" and criticising the foreign minister of failing to oppose China's diversion of the Brahmaputra, he said, "when in power, the BJP will put diplomatic pressure against the diversion and have an international water treaty".

Mountain Retreat at TASHIDING

Yangchen Namgyal

Located just below Dhakar (white rock) Tashiding near the Tashiding Monastery in west Sikkim is the newly-constructed ‘Tsamkham’ (retreat house), where His Holiness the Dalai Lama spent three days in retreat during his recent visit to Sikkim in December 2010. This mountain retreat centre in Tashiding is the most sacred spot for Buddhists in Sikkim and has been blessed by eminent lamas such as the Dalai Lama and His Holiness the Sakya Trizin.

One of the chortens (stupa) above the tsamkham houses the relics of the late Jamyang Khentse Rinpoche, an outstanding master of Tibetan Buddhism who sought refuge in Sikkim after he fled Tibet before the Chinese takeover in 1959.  The relics of Sikkim’s 12^th Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, whose long and heroic fight for Sikkim and the Sikkimese in the seventies, are also placed in one of the stupas.

For those looking for solitude in a quiet and peaceful mountain side Tashiding is definitely a place worth visiting. The Buddhist Guest House near the monastery is an ideal place to rest, relax and reflect. There is also a monastery-run guest rooms in the same premises.