One of the most pleasing sights in the bazaars of Indian cities and towns is that of Tibetans selling their wares, usually woolens or other creations of their honest and hard-working hands. Tibetans live quiet lives, proudly preserving their community identity, zealously adhering to their customs, and remaining deeply devoted to their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. They scrupulously respect the local social milieu in which they live — be it Manali in Himachal Pradesh or Mundagod in north Karnataka, where they have established a wonderful township — and are in turn respected by the locals. It is rare to find a Tibetan involved in any criminal activity.

Every time I see a Tibetan on the street, I feel proud of my country that it has continued its tradition, since time immemorial, of providing shelter to any immigrant community that suffered religious persecution in its own land. India does not treat such refugees as aliens, nor does it force them to give up their culture and customs. In this sense, India is unique in the world, and this uniqueness must be safeguarded and cherished. Indeed, in the case of Tibetans, it is a matter of honour for us that His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the greatest living exponent of the Buddha’s ideals of universal peace brotherhood and compassion, has made India his home.

It is, therefore, shocking that the China’s communist rulers have targeted such a proud and peace-loving community for a violent crackdown in Lhasa, and, furthermore, resorted to the most offensive language to malign the Dalai Lama. They have called His Holiness a “serial liar” and accused him of “pretending to be a peaceful, angel-type of figure” while instigating violent protests in Lhasa. One cannot expect them or China’s government-controlled media to admit that Tibetans may have a genuine reason to protest.

... contd.