On a cafe outside Tsulglakhang, the main temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in McleodGanj, capital of Tibet in Exile, a large mural declares that, after half a century, Tibetans are still fighting to regain their independence.
The Dalai Lama fled into exile in India in 1959. Since then more than 120,000 Tibetans have followed. Most are living in exile communities in India, Nepal and Bhutan, with other large groups in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, France, Taiwan and Australia.
A 1961 United Nations General Assembly resolution asserted that the presence of Tibetan refugees in neighboring countries was "evidence" of human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist government in Tibet. There are strong restrictions on freedom of religion and freedom of speech. At present, most new arrivals in exile are children sent to Tibetan cultural schools to receive a traditional education which they do not have access to in Tibet.
Until the March 2008 Uprisings in Tibet, up to 4500 "new arrivals" were coming to McleodGanj (upper Dharamsala) each year. After the 2008 protests, a Chinese crackdown reduced those numbers to roughly 300. According to local observers, 2010 was the first year the numbers began to climb, with an estimated 700-1000 new arrivals reported.
Viewers are encouraged to leave questions as constructive comments. The author will do her best to get a direct and accurate reply within 24 hours.
What does the image of the "resistance" mural make you feel?
Do you have any personal experience of religious or cultural persecution?
What do you most want to ask of Tibetans who have chosen to flee into exile?
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