Autonomy or complete independence, Tibet should be free from China: Senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar

By Lobsang Tenchoe

DHARAMSALA, August 20: Be it autonomous status or complete independence, Tibet should be free from China, said senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(RSS) leader and member of its National Executive, Indresh Kumar today at a press conference held at Hotel Centre Point in Lower Dharamshala.

The press conference was organized by the Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat, as requested by Indresh Kumar.

Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile (TPiE) in his opening speech introduced the Chief Guest, Indresh Kumar as a long-time friend and supporter of Tibet, who has been associated with the Tibet cause for the past 17 years.

“Whatever Tibetans desire, be it autonomous status or complete independence, we support it. Tibet should be free from China. Indian government has never said that Tibet has been historically inseparable part of China,” Indresh Kumar said as he began his speech.

“Its with Tibet that we share the borders, a border without tension and military presence. China is an aggressor. After China occupied Tibet, the border tensions started escalating. China has never been our natural neighbor,” he added.

“Tibet was a buffer state between India and China. Chinese government should accept the Tibetan Government-in-exile and resort to resolving the issue. China should stop the cultural genocide in Tibet and preserve the rich tradition and heritage of Tibet,” he said.

Flanked by the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Deputy Speaker, Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok on either side, the RSS leader then fielded questions from the reporters.

Responding to a question about an alleged deal discussed informally during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India in 2014 and a reciprocal visit by Modi to China last year which asia.nikki.com reported on Aug 18, citing one highly placed source in the RSS, that the two leaders reached an agreement where in China will refrain from laying claims on Indian territories in exchange for a promise from India to issue citizenship to all the Tibetans in exile, close its door for new Tibetan refugees coming to India and to close the Tibetan Government-in-exile after His Holiness’ demise, Indresh explained, “By inviting Tibetan Sikyong, Lobsang Sangay along with the SAARC nations at the swearing-in ceremony Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the present Indian government has send its diplomatic message loud and clear to the world and China. Without uttering a word, India has made its stand on Tibet known to the world.”