Dharamsala, March 19: The pro-independence Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) has come out in support of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama’s decision to retire and devolve his “formal authority” to an elected leader.
TYC president Tsewang Rigzin told IANS Saturday that the Dalai Lama’s proposal to shed political authority was a positive move. “His proposal is to further develop the fledgling Tibetan democracy and to ensure the survival and sustainability of the Tibetan cause in the long run,” he added.
In a letter sent to members of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, the TYC, the largest group of young exiles, asked them to accept the Dalai Lama’s proposal.
At his annual address to Tibetans and the international community delivered here March 10, the Dalai Lama, 75, made his retirement plans amply clear.
As the budget session began March 14, the Nobel laureate’s message was read out by Speaker Penpa Tsering. “My intention to devolve political authority derives neither from a wish to shirk responsibility nor because I am disheartened,” said the message.
The spiritual leader requested the parliamentarians to make suitable amendments to the exiled government’s constitution, paving the way for him to step down.
Nearly six million Tibetans live in Tibet while over 150,000 live in other countries, most of them in India.
—–IANS