Tibetans in Dharamshala Hold Candlelight Vigil to Protest School Closure by China
On Wednesday, Tibetans in exile gathered in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, to hold a candlelight vigil. They were protesting China’s forced closure of the Ragya Gangjong Sherig Norbuling School in Golog and showing solidarity with Tibetans.
Condemnation of Chinese Policies
On International Justice Day, eight non-governmental organizations (NGOs) based in Dharamshala condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) policies in Tibet. They expressed deep concern over systematic human rights violations, particularly affecting Tibetan children and their education.
Impact on Tibetan Children
Tibetan activists highlighted that over one million Tibetan children are enrolled in colonial-style boarding schools, separated from their families and cultural roots. This forced assimilation into Chinese language and culture violates international standards on cultural rights and education.
Closure of Tibetan Schools
The CCP has aggressively shut down privately-run Tibetan schools, eroding the ability of Tibetan communities to preserve their cultural heritage. On July 14, 2024, the Ragya Gangjong Sherig Norbuling School, founded by Tibetan educator Jigme Gyaltsen, was forced to close under pressure from the Chinese government.
The NGOs in Dharamshala condemned this closure, stating that it is part of a policy aimed at erasing Tibetan identity. They called on the international community to take action against these violations.
Call for International Action
On World Justice Day, the NGOs reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for justice, freedom, and the preservation of Tibetan cultural heritage. They urged governments, human rights organizations, and educational institutions worldwide to hold China accountable for these grave violations.
Doubts Revealed
Tibetans in exile -: Tibetans in exile are people from Tibet who have left their country and are living in another country, like India, because they cannot live safely in their own country.
Dharamshala -: Dharamshala is a city in India where many Tibetans, including their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, live after leaving Tibet.
Candlelight vigil -: A candlelight vigil is a peaceful event where people gather and hold candles to show their support or protest against something.
China -: China is a large country in Asia that has control over Tibet, which is why many Tibetans have left their homeland.
Ragya Gangjong Sherig Norbuling School -: This is a school in Tibet that was closed by the Chinese government, which made many Tibetans upset.
Golog -: Golog is a region in Tibet where the closed school is located.
NGOs -: NGOs are Non-Governmental Organizations, which are groups that work to help people and solve problems without being part of the government.
Human rights violations -: Human rights violations are actions that take away people’s basic rights and freedoms, like the right to go to school or speak their language.
Forced assimilation -: Forced assimilation is when a group of people is made to give up their own culture and adopt another culture, often against their will.
International community -: The international community refers to all the countries and people around the world who can work together to solve global problems.
International Justice Day -: International Justice Day is a day when people around the world focus on making sure everyone is treated fairly and justly.
