Violent protests in Tibet have emphasised the growing divide within the exiled community over how to win the propaganda war with China. The spiritual leader of the Tibetans, the Dalai Lama, abjures all violence and considers even hunger strikes and economic sanctions as illegitimate means of political protest.
Many younger Tibetans, versed in modern forms of political campaigning, appear to be rejecting the passivity required by their leadership. They have been emboldened by video footage and photographs showing fellow Tibetans revolting against Chinese “occupiers”.
Some have even criticised the Dalai Lama publicly. Tsewang Rigzin, the president of the pro-independence Tibetan Youth Congress, rebuked him for refusing to call for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics, adding that the protests in Tibet should continue.
“The Chinese have taken the Olympic torch through Tibet, they want to use the games to show Tibet is part of China,” said Rigzin (37), who was educated in the US. “It is unacceptable. The Olympics should be boycotted. I don’t know why the Dalai Lama says we should accept the Games.”
Among the Dalai Lama’s own advisers there is an acknowledgment that the younger generation is frustrated with the leadership’s “middle-way” policy, a non-violent campaign for autonomy within China, which has seen six rounds of talks but few concessions from the Chinese. — Â