Tibetan protesters hit Delhi streets ahead of Xi Jinping’s BRICS visit, demonstrations in Majnu Ka Tila, Pragati Maidan
Tibetan protesters hit Delhi streets. (Image courtesy: Instagram/@rfatibetan)
New Delhi: Anti-China protests intensified in Delhi on Friday, a day before the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, is scheduled to arrive in the national capital for the BRICS Summit. Tibetan groups held demonstrations at multiple locations to protest Beijing’s policies in Tibet and oppose the Chinese president’s visit.
At least five Tibetan nationals were detained near Pragati Maidan after allegedly gathering to protest Xi’s upcoming visit, according to a PTI report citing police sources. Videos circulating on social media showed protesters climbing poles and unfurling Tibetan flags to protest against the Chinese delegation.
A member of the Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) group told ThePrint that four to five people had been detained by Delhi Police.
Meanwhile, around 250−300 members of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) and other Tibetan nationals participated in a peaceful march in north Delhi’s Majnu Ka Tila area, according to ThePrint. The protesters carried banners and posters opposing Xi’s visit as the Chinese president prepares to attend the September 12-13 BRICS Summit.
Tenzin Lobsang, general secretary of the TYC, told ThePrint that the organization wanted to make its position clear ahead of Xi’s arrival while welcoming India’s role as the host of the summit. The demonstration was part of wider efforts by Tibetan groups to highlight their concerns during the Chinese leader’s visit.
The protests follow an earlier statement by the TYC that RNA Media had reported, criticizing Xi’s participation in the BRICS Summit and accusing Beijing of policies that threaten Tibet’s distinct cultural, religious and linguistic identity. The organization had urged India and other BRICS members to raise Tibet-related concerns with the Chinese leadership.
The TYC had also expressed concern over China’s Law on promoting ethnic unity and progress, which came into force on July 1. Tibetan representatives have argued that the legislation could increase pressure on Tibetan language, culture and religious practices, while Beijing maintains that it promotes ethnic equality, national unity and development.
The organization has also opposed Beijing’s involvement in the succession of the Dalai Lama. Tibetan institutions maintain that recognition of his successor is a religious matter, while China insists that the process must comply with Chinese law.
The TYC has further highlighted concerns over Chinese infrastructure projects on the Tibetan Plateau, including dams, mining and river diversion. The region is the source of several major Asian rivers, giving the Tibet issue wider environmental and strategic significance for India.
Why are Tibetans protesting Xi’s visit?
Tibetan groups oppose Chinese rule in Tibet and accuse Beijing of restricting Tibetan religious freedom, cultural identity and language. They are also demanding greater attention to Tibetan political prisoners and objecting to Chinese government involvement in the Dalai Lama’s succession.
The protests come at a sensitive stage in India-China relations, with Xi’s visit marking his first visit to India since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. His participation in the BRICS Summit is also expected to provide an opportunity for renewed engagement between Xi and the prime minister, Narendra Modi, as New Delhi and Beijing work to stabilize bilateral ties.
