Via DesiPundit, I came across a string of news articles and posts on Tenzin Tsundue, a talented activist poet and essayist of Tibetan extraction; in 2001 he won the Picador Outlook Non-Fiction essay prize for this moving piece of work. Tsundue was also born on Indian soil, and is therefore Indian in somewhat the same sense as I consider myself American. But with a difference: Tsundue’s people, the many thousands of Tibetans who have taken refuge in India, are effectively denationalized. They aren’t full Indian citizens (though legally they ought to be), and they can’t go back to a home country that doesn’t exist anymore.
In 2002, Tsundue got attention in the Indian and international media when he took advantage of a construction ladder and climbed the outside of a fourteen story building (Express Towers) directly facing the Oberoi Towers in Nariman Point, Mumbai. The Chinese Premier was in town, and when he and his delegation arrived at their posh, high-rise hotel, they were undoubtedly chagrined to see Tsundue in the building directly across, unfurling a 30 foot “Free Tibet” banner stitched together entirely out of Chinese flags. (More details)
One of the interesting comments Tsundue made at that time was in response to the danger he faced as hotel security officials were threatening to drop a materials lift above his head on him, when he refused to come down: “‘I did not worry about the threat being carried out, knowing that I was in India and not in China,’ he said.”
Telling words; are they true? The Indian government has recently placed a restraining order on Tsundue in connection with Hu Jintao’s coming visit to India (see Nitin Pai’s outraged post on this). Tsundue has been ordered not to leave Dharmsala during the Chinese Premier’s visit — on threat of deportation to Tibet! It’s understandable that the Indian government would want to protect the Chinese delegation from intrusive protesters, but I think Tsundue ought to have the right to go to Delhi and express his opposition to the Chinese occupation, especially since we know that Tsundue and other Tibetans will do so peacefully. India may be worlds away from China on matters of personal freedom and respect for human rights, but as this case shows, it’s still far from perfect.
One other thing: Nitin points out that the Indian news-media has yet to pick up this story. I did find something on “Telugu Portal,” but otherwise it’s mainly newspapers in places like Malaysia that are covering the story. [Update: There has been some coverage.]
the indian govt. should hang its head in shame. there’s a difference between respect and honor for one’s guest, esp. a powerful one that is also a troublesome neighbour, and kowtowing obsequiously and grovelling. it’s all the more demeaning, as nitin pai pointed out, since a few days ago china arrogantly claimed the right to all of arunachal pradesh. having known several tibetans who found refuge in india or who were born and raised in india, and having seen how they deal with forced exile, this is very embarassing.
some time ago the nyt, i think, did an article on growing restiveness amongst younger tibetans at what they see as ineffective non-violent methods of their elders and the dalai lama. moves like this by the indian govt. may only aggravate their restiveness and impatience and grievances and tempt them to seek alternatives.
Wow! His essay is extremely insightful, I donÂ’t know how liberal India is with its policies and politics, but I hope politics doesnÂ’t win. Anyone know Richard Gere(sp)?
for those who havent seen this yet – this is worth checking out.
the relevance to the article above is that shipping tsundue back to china is a veritable death sentence. i hope someone raises a constitutional challenge to that should that ever happen.
regarding the analogy wgiia put up – it is the host’s responsibility to provide a warm welcome – so … and i have to drag this out… if there are anarchists in the population with a grouse against the guest and a high propensity to engage in disruptive behavior, the ethical standards can be extended to include the mobility restriction.
this is a tricky situation. if one were to draw parallels – this scenario can be extrapolated to situations such as the below for the purpose of discussion a. child molesters move into a residential neighborhood after serving their sentence. b. rabid anarchists (jaggi singh) restricted at the G8 conference in Quebec. c. bike protesters who snarl the traffic by creating a logjam in cities. etc.
“it is the host’s responsibility to provide a warm welcome – so … and i have to drag this out… if there are anarchists in the population with a grouse against the guest and a high propensity to engage in disruptive behavior, the ethical standards can be extended to include the mobility restriction.”
i don’t disagree with the mobility restriction if its warranted. but in the case of tibetan activists in india, given their record, it’s not in this case (despite the daring stunt he pulled.) . allowing them to protest peacefully at a respectful distance from the guest is warranted in a secular, democratic nation. anyways, where there is a will there is a way. this restriction is not going to stop any determined activist from making their voice heard during the chinese premier’s visit.
It wasn’t until I left India that I could start seeing that democracy in India is lacking in several ways. Press freedom is not one of India’s strongest points. Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan are even worse. Sri Lanka is somewhat better. Ghana, Timor-Leste, Burundi, Sierra-Leone are much better, not to mention most European nations. And we’re not talking about the kind of self-censorship practised by the MSM over here.
Ironically, the government’s restriction is what brought the story to my attention. So arguably it’s working anyway, though not the way it should.
He’s not an anarchist like western anarchists, who are usually willing to cause material damage to property. In 2002 (and again in 2005, when he apparently repeated the stunt at IISC in Bangalore), he’s merely scaled buildings and unfurled banners.
I am sorry but I don’t think that you have read the papers thoroughly in India. I am a journalist in Delhi who has been writing on foreign affairs and since the Chinese premier is coming her next week, I have been meticulous in reading on China related stuff in India. I have also previously reported on Tsundue when he did his stunt in Bangalore during the last Chinese visit The Indian media has not highlighted several deserving issues, but this is not one of them. Yesterday, there were substantive articles in both Telegraph and Hindustan times on the Dharmashal order on Tenzin Tsundue. (I can post the links later) urther, if the story appeared on Telegu portal, then it would have been taken from the India Abroad News Service, which is a mainstream news agency. So, talk about possible “restraining order” on MSM as you mentioned is a bit uninformed!
Scribina –
None of the stories on Google News are from the big Indian newspapers. That might be Google News’ fault, though.
What do you expect when a Vassal is appointed Prime Minister of India.
Kush:
But the Indian government seldom interferes with the freedom of the press. As the report you pointed out states:
I seriously doubt the Indian government would have made an exception in this case. There is considerable sympathy for the Tibetans in India, but it is hardly an emotional hot-button issue.
Oh, I am sorry. That was Kurma, not Kush. I guess its time to get my morning coffee 🙁 .
yeah i know i checked out google news. but if you want, check out the delhi edition of the the hindustan times e-paper (epaper.hindustantimes.com) of 14 November nation pages. And in Telegraph, here is the link (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061114/asp/nation/story_6998679.asp).
I think Indian Government should allow Tenzin to protest peacefully.
In Oberoi Towers case, the cops who put him in jail briefly congratulated him.
I’ve never heard of this dude before-I’m always on the lookout for brown anarchists to read about. Thanks for heads up.
The Chinese just claimed Arunachal Pradesh all to itself (via the Ambassador in Delhi) and the G of I. is worried about upsetting China? This really is grovelling.
Guys,
If you go to DesiPundit, they link a blogger from India who is of Tibetan origin. She has a very powerful message. Please read. Some excerpts:
China is also bringing up the issue of Arunchal Pradesh
An insightful interview of Tibetan exile and writer Jamyang Norbu on PBS. BTW, his The Mandala of Sherlock Holmes is a treat to read, and supposedly one of the best pastisches on Holmes.
Excerpt from the interview.
I apologize for my complete ignorance, but could someone fill me in on the citizenship laws of India? If a child is born of foreign nationals but on Indian soil, is she an Indian citizen, or no?
Second, actions like this simply illustrate the fact that China is quickly becoming a super power to whom nations will give a wide berth in order to avoid an international incident. I liken it to a Soviet Premier visiting the U.S. during the Cold War. I’ve never seen footage of protests taking place anywhere near the site of the actual summit. And like the Soviets, it shows how countries look past human rights abuses because of the power China has garnered. With the Soviets, the power came from their nuclear arsenal. With China, it comes from their influence on global markets.
Sriram, Amardeep has a link to Indian citizenship laws in his post. Since Tenzin was born between 1950 and 1987 (he was 26 years old in 2001, again look at one of Amardeep links), he should be an Indian citizen technically. After 1987, the new law states that at least one of the parent should be an Indian citizen at the time of the birth. This is in addition to naturalization process.
It is absolut goondagiri by Indian police.
dude – my one claim to celebrity resemblance is jaggi – and it was some ratty hippy dude in quebec who was shouting death to capitalism and the usa who thought i was he – not quite my cuppa chaitealatte… but that being said – lots of aggressive hippy type desis out here – i had never seen so many dollar sized brown areolas pressing thru thin fabric until i tripped through montreal. it was very stimulating.
Amardeep,
Pankaj Mishra wrote a very interesting piece on Tsundue for the New York Times Magazine last year. Titled “The Restless Children of Dalai Lama”, it highlights the new (young) guard of Tibetans led by Tsundue who are outspoken in their frustration at the Buddhist passivity on Tibet. Not quite anti-Dalai Lama, not quite violent (yet), it states how many Tibetans (including Tsundue) are convinced that the struggle for Tibet will turn violent after the death of the Dalai Lama.
The only thing this “emerging superpower” knows how to do is kiss-ass. You dont become a power by kissing ass, you have to kick-ass to do that. As Gandhi and then later on Munnabhai showed that you dont have to resort to violence to “kick-ass” … 🙂
Sorry to see the politics play out again. And I’m also sorry to say – really, one has to look after oneself, no one does it for one. Nobody REALLY cares about Tibet (I do care, but I’m nobody). Until, that is, if some oil were to be found in the area! Bet my last lincoln you’d see some serious action then!
I dare say Indian treatment of him isn’t anything special (for indian police). I can imagine anyone being handled like that by the desi state. Its a limited democracy.
Those interested in matters of nationality of Tibetan refugees can see this post.
Nobody REALLY cares about Tibet (I do care, but I’m nobody). Until, that is, if some oil were to be found in the area!
Oh yeah? North India’s water supply originates in Tibet. If there is a nation in the world that should “care” about Tibet, it should be India.
Amardeep,
I am not terribly impressed with these warm and fuzzy feelings of concern. The Indian government of course is acting spineless. And this isn’t the 1st time it has acted against Tibeto-Indian protestors. But what about the free and progressive media? Why are they so shamelessly silent? One can understand why the Maoist/Stalinist flunky and his factotums from Chennai (with their “South India China Post”) are keeping quiet as also the commies. What about the 100 other journalists and media mavens on TV? What is moving them to silence? What about Tehelka and Machalka? No expose? No protest? Underwhelming.
Risible, Not clear exactly what you mean. Can you explain?
Shiva, Press and media in India are pathetic. Sensationalism about sex and celebs is IT! I’m sure I don’t have to convince too many people about it but check out samachar.com/top25 to see a sampling of news that apparantly makes it to the top (of whatever). I routinely see not just misleading, but flat out wrong sensational headlines for crap news. With the proliferation of these news channels that are all creating the same static (tahalka!, dhamaka!) to a public that’s becoming immune to calls for their attention. Hence the media competes at ever lower levels to grab their attention. We await the emergence of a BBC like desi channel.
All of this adds up to lukewarm interest in the Tibet issue. With free-er markets, news-reporting is extraordinarily sensitive to consumer tastes. Hence you have ‘fast-food news’ – daily adventures of brangelina et all, never mind some tibetans wanting something in a nation where there’s already a LONG list of wants. Market-supported media will run infotainment not pure news and tough analysis. In Indian society, philanthropy to institutions (ala NPR or PBS) is largely non-existant, so there isn’t a media source that doesn’t have 1. an eye on sales when selecting news, or 2. freedom from govt. when not worried about sales (‘cos govt is the source of funding in this case).
Not clear exactly what you mean. Can you explain?
All the major rivers in India, Indus, Brahmaputra etc. originate from Tibet and Himalayas. The head waters are in Tibet. Here more info, and here.
I really appreciate all the positive comments and outrage against the suppressing of the fundamental rights of Tenzin Tsundue.
Sriram – yes Amardeep is right. As per the Indian National Law, Tenzin is a citizen of India by birth. Moreover the Dalai lama has always said that India is our spiritual home, so our links with India are very strong. so this move by the Indian police in dharamsala can also been seen as an act of moral betrayal.
India anyday is thousand times better than communist China.i have lived in both nations and india is way ahead in almost everything.China is not what u see in Tv.the commie shitheads control the media and only good things are shown.they dont talk about the urban poor which lives in desperate conditions and so on.their corruption level is as bad as pakistan .minorities are crushed.no one has any voice except the commie bastards.China is a just a bully who is really a coward inside.
chinese people though are normal jut like indians.they have the same aspirations as the rest of the world.if not for the commies and their pathetic ideology china would be a nice country with great food and beautiful women…:)
so let us all wish the fucking moron hu jintao a happy welcome by burning pig maos poster.:)
Tashi.
I remember Jaggi Singh from Commanding Heights. No von Hayek!
And, yeah, not a squeak from the sultana of sanctimony Arundati Roy! Must be busy praising the dictator next door!
Way to go, Amardeep. Nice post on a topic that must be talked about more frequently.
I probably shouldn’t even be responding to this trollery but this is what I get when i google “arundhati tibet” : Arundhati Roy and Medha Patkar support Dharna for the cause of Tibet .
ashvin,
good. expect roy and friends to do more than mere signature petitions.
It is shameful that India muzzled the Tibetans rights to protest and express dissent. After all, the constitution guarantees the right to free speech.