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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Tibetan refugees protest in Mumbai

Supporters from the Tibetan Youth Congress react during a protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Monday against China's new ethnic unity law. Pic: Bhushan Koyande Mumbai: Over 250 Tibetan refugees, activists and members of the Friends of Tibet took out a rally and demonstrated near the Chinese Consulate in Mumbai as part of an international action to protest against China’s new Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law (EUPPL). The Tibetans living in Mumbai were joined by other protestors from...

Tibetan refugees protest in Mumbai

Supporters from the Tibetan Youth Congress react during a protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Monday against China's new ethnic unity law. Pic: Bhushan Koyande Mumbai: Over 250 Tibetan refugees, activists and members of the Friends of Tibet took out a rally and demonstrated near the Chinese Consulate in Mumbai as part of an international action to protest against China’s new Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law (EUPPL). The Tibetans living in Mumbai were joined by other protestors from Bhandara (Maharashtra) and Mundgod (Karnataka) and a relay hunger strike was also taken up the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, said Coordinator, Tenzin Tsundue. The day started with a silent rally from Rajgriha, the home of the late Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to his memorial, Chaityabhoomi, both in Dadar. Another rally-cum-demonstration was carried out near Nariman Point where the Chinese Consulate is located and at the Azad Maidan, said Tsundue. “We carried out a peaceful protest at Nariman Point and wanted to go and submit a memorandum to the Chinese Consul-General. However, the police prevented us, detained a few Tibetans and sent them back to Azad Maidan,” Tsundue told ‘The Perfect Voice’, from the venue. He said that Tibetans and others like Uyghurs are strongly opposed to the new law which came into effect last week, despite criticism from the United Nations Organisation (UNO), Taiwan, TYC and human rights groups worldwide. Their prime concerns are that the (EUPPL) could place further restrictions on the minorities’ rights, deepen assimilation policies targeting the ethnic groups and dilute the protection to their respective languages, cultures and traditions. China’s Denial One provision is said to allow individuals to be held accountable for alleged violations of the Chinese laws even outside the country, raising apprehensions it could target the government’s critics or campaigners abroad. However, China has rubbished all allegations of rights abuses against the ethnic minority group, and reiterated that its policies aim to promote social stability, security and economic development for all. Unconvinced, Tibetans and Uyghurs have urged the international community to build pressure on China to strike down the EUPPL as “it aims to erase the minority communities”. The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan has argued that Taiwanese are already facing high risks travelling to China and now the country has “yet another law to fabricate charges”, and it could deploy it “to further suppress and prosecute human rights activists”. TYC slams China The TYC said that the international action today was dedicated to the memory of the supreme sacrifice of Lobga Rangzen who self-immolated himself outside the UN Headquarters in New York on July 2 to draw the world’s attention to the cause of Tibet. Rejecting the new law, the TYC said: “This legislation is not a law of unity but a political instrument to force assimilation of nations living under Chinese occupation, like Tibet, East Turkestan, Southern Mongolia, and Manchuria. Behind the language of ‘ethnic unity’ lies an agenda of Unilateral control by institutionalising policies aimed at assimilating Tibetans through political domination.” It accused China of attempts “to erase national identities by suppressing distinct languages, undermining religious institutions, rewriting history, destroying cultural heritage, separating children from their communities through state run colonial boarding schools, and replacing distinct identities with loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party”.

NCP’s festival card to attract voters

Mumbai: As the uncertainty in the state politics is looming large, the NCP led by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar is making an effort to break down the barrier. He has extended an unexpected invitation to veteran politician Sharad Pawar for Maharashtra Day celebrations. This has raised many eyebrows in the political circle and all eyes are on Pawar Sr about his next move.  


Two years after the split in the party, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) extended an official invitation to veteran politician Sharad Pawar to attend a party function being organised on the occasion of Maharashtra Day on May 1. The NCP has organised ‘Gauravshali Maharashtra’ festival from May 1 to 4 to mark the 65 years of Maharashtra formation.


This move comes two years after their party split, potentially signaling a diplomatic reconciliation. The invitation includes recognizing Pawar's significant political contributions and includes a special pavilion honoring state Chief Ministers.


After the political split, Ajit Pawar took control of the party name and poll symbol, while Sharad Pawar, who is now in the opposition, is heading Nationalist Congress Party (SP). Both Ajit and Sharad Pawar have been seen together in the past two years only in various official meetings and family functions. Both have categorically kept political stands aside and refrained from making any comments, post assembly polls.


Party function

According to sources within the NCP-SP, “This is not a government programme. This is a party function. It is unlikely that after what has happened between Pawars, the veteran leader will share NCP’s stage. Despite the gesture, Sharad Pawar might be hesitant to share the stage with his nephew's faction.


When contacted, state NCP president Sunil Tatkare said, “We will be felicitating all the previous chief ministers of Maharashtra on May 3. We have spoken to Prithviraj Chavan of Congress. We have been told that Uddhav Thackeray is abroad, but we will extend an invitation to him as well. Our executive president Praful Patel will personally meet Sharad Pawar saheb to extend the invitation. We are expecting him at the event. Let’s see what happens”.


Tatkare said that after the formation of Maharashtra on May 1, 1960, various events and cultural programmes took place for five consecutive days. “We will be repeating it by holding celebrations from May 1 to 4,” he added further.


When asked about Sharad Pawar, Tatkare said his contribution to the state and country can never be neglected. “He is a national leader and four-time chief minister of Maharashtra. How can his contribution be neglected? We have extended the invitation and will take a final call on Thursday,” Tatkare pointed out.

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