Tashi Topgyal urges public not to buy, spread rumors over exile political impasse
DHARAMSALA, 20 July: As we are left with a parliament without lawmakers, a President(Sikyong) without cabinet, and the public opinion divided on the justices resumption to offices, everyone needs to work to resolve the political impasse, says former Sikyong Candidate Tashi Topgyal as he takes on the political deadlock of the exile Tibetan Administration.
Tashi Topgyal who unsuccessfully ran twice for the top job of the Central Tibetan Administration, the exile Tibetan government in exile made the remarks at a press conference held here in the exile headquarter today.
On the impeachment of the Chief Justice Commissioner and the two Justice Commissioners of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission (TSJC) by the Tibetan parliament, Topgyal said: “the Justices were impeached by 31 lawmakers(by over 2/3 of the house) comprising of lawmakers from all the provinces.”
However, on their resumption to offices, he said: “the opinion is divided on this” and added that “ he can’t comment on that and that all he could do is do some research and to try to resolve the political impasse.”
Topgyal says he plans to write to the spiritual heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions to seek their advice over the matter, to hold campaigns online, to request some former Justices to do research on the legality of the removed justices resumption to offices, and to meet with NGOs to exchange ideas over the matter.
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama bestowed the democracy to us all Tibetans, not for just a few individuals,” Topgyal said and urged the general Tibetans to shoulder responsibility.
He further urged “Tibetans against spreading rumors doing the rounds to stir up trouble or getting carried away by them.”
Without pointing fingers as to who is at the fault, Topgyal called on the MPs and the three removed justices, to take one on the chin for the greater good of the country and the people as the political deadlock still continues.
The TPiE impeached Dagpo Sonam Norbu, the Chief Justice Commissioner, and the two Justice Commissioners, Tenzin Lungtok and Karma Dadul on 25th March during the tenth day of the 10th session of the 16th TPIE by passing an official motion in the Parliament for the trio’s impeachment in accordance with the Clause (IV), Article (63) of the Charter of Tibetans in exile.
On 26 March, the Justices of TSJC held a press conference and declared that they accepted the Tibetan parliament’s impeachment but refute the charges.
The Justices stated then that, though the Tibetan parliament is at fault for not following proper procedures to introduce and vote on the resolution for their removal, they are vacating their offices solely out of respect for the constitution. (link)
However, nearly two months later, the exile Tibetan democracy headed into more uncertainty as the Chief Justice Commissioner and the two Justice Commissioners of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission impeached by the Tibetan parliament performed a u-turn and announced their resumption to offices.
“We never accepted the decision of the parliament, but recused ourselves for the sole interest of ensuring natural justice,” the impeached justices of the TSJC stated on 24 May.
