TYC to Host Own Rangzen Conference After Decade-Plus Absence

By Tenzin Chokyi

DHARAMSALA  6 Oct: The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) has passed a resolution to hold its own Rangzen Conference in an effort to revive and sustain the Tibetan movement for the complete independence of Tibet from China’s colonial rule. This initiative is being launched while the International Rangzen Conference continues to be organised independently by Rangzen advocates on a voluntary basis.

The resolution was passed during its 19th General Body Meeting, held from 29 September to 5th October at Lower TCV School, with a new batch of executive members elected for the next three years. Tsering Choephel was elected the new President with Tashi Targyal re-elected as the Vice President and Tenzin Lobsang, as the new General Secretary. Tenzin Tsephel, Thupten Tsering, Ngawang Paljor, and Tsamchoe are the four other Central Executive committee members. General Body Meeting, held after every three years, is the highest decision-making body of the TYC.

This move comes after more than a decade of TYC’s absence from the International Rangzen Conference—the largest gathering advocating full Tibetan independence—following a 2013 TYC resolution that declared it would not collaborate with the Tibetan National Congress (TNC), which had organised such conferences in the past.

The TYC has also not participated in the International Rangzen conferences independently organised by Rangzen advocates during this period.

With the earlier resolution still in place, the new resolution implies that Rangzen advocates from the Tibetan National Congress may not be officially invited to this conference. This move could further formalise existing divisions within the Rangzen movement, reflecting differing approaches and priorities among its members.

Speaking to Tibet Express, Tsering Choephel, the newly elected president of the TYC, stated that he cannot unilaterally change the resolution, as the principles of the TYC require decisions to be made democratically by all members. However, he clarified that members are free to attend the Rangzen Conference in their personal capacity. He added that he himself, despite being a member, has attended the Rangzen Conference in the past.

Tenzin Tsundue, a seasoned activist and member of the TYC, said that the way the executive members have carried out their operations in line with the earlier resolution has been a moderate or measured approach, depending on who organises the Rangzen Conference and the type of rhetoric presented.

“Personally, I have organised Rangzen Conferences in the past and, at times, was unable to attend others. However, at present, the TYC is attempting to organise a Grand Rangzen Conference on its own within the next three years, which I believe will provide an opportunity for all Rangzen advocates to participate, and I feel it will help in reconciliation,” he added.

Tenzin Tsundue pointed out that some individuals, motivated by personal interests and the desire to gain positions, misrepresent Rangzen advocates as opposing the Dalai Lama’s guidance to demonstrate their own loyalty, a practice he believes has contributed to the dwindling participation of youth in the TYC.

“These misrepresentations are then used to create fear among ordinary Tibetans. Youth are often confronted with questions such as whether they are followers of the Umaylam or of the TYC, implying that supporting Rangzen goes against the Dalai Lama’s advice.”

Tsundue said that such tactics have created significant challenges for the TYC’s functioning, particularly in four Tibetan Refugee settlements in South India. He criticised this behaviour as a divisive act that is morally wrong and must be stopped immediately.