The best time to quit is said to be when people start wondering ‘why’ and not ‘why not’. By that token, the timing of the Dalai Lama’s announcement that he would step down as the political head of the Tibetan Government in Exile, is almost perfect. The 76-year-old Nobel Laureate is at the peak of his popularity and commands universal admiration for his sagacity. Not surprisingly, the announcement has created ripples among his followers and also in Beijing, which described it as a trick to deceive international public opinion. But then he has been speaking of retiring for some time and spelt out his reasons well enough. He is not getting younger and would like to resolve his succession during his lifetime so that his passing away does not create a void. More importantly, his decision to give up power to an ‘elected’ leader of the Tibetans is significant in view of the pro-democracy movements sweeping across several parts of the Arab world, Africa and the Middle East. It also marks an important departure from Tibetan tradition under which the Dalai Lama is identified, not elected, as the reincarnation of a previous incumbent.
A growing number of young Tibetans, however, has been questioning the ‘Middle Path’ advocated by him. While he, prudently as most observers would say, abandoned the demand for an independent Tibet, there are hardliners among the Tibetan youth who are opposed to greater autonomy and non-violence espoused by him. Beijing’s suspicion of the Dalai Lama’s motives, specially in the backdrop of the failed uprising in Tibet in 1959, may not be unnatural, but only the future will show whether China missed the opportunity of sealing a deal with him. His successors, after all, may display less enthusiasm for greater autonomy for Tibet.
Given the large number of Tibetan refugees living in India, the vexed Tibetan question requires to be handled with care. The sooner it is settled, the better it is for all concerned. While the Tibetan Government in Exile is not yet recognised by any country, not even by India, the Dalai Lama’s ‘retirement’ and replacement by an elected leader may well change the ground rules. The complexities warrant continued moderation by the Dalai Lama and it will certainly be in India’s interest to extend all help for a speedy settlement
A growing number of young Tibetans, however, has been questioning the ‘Middle Path’ advocated by him. While he, prudently as most observers would say, abandoned the demand for an independent Tibet, there are hardliners among the Tibetan youth who are opposed to greater autonomy and non-violence espoused by him. Beijing’s suspicion of the Dalai Lama’s motives, specially in the backdrop of the failed uprising in Tibet in 1959, may not be unnatural, but only the future will show whether China missed the opportunity of sealing a deal with him. His successors, after all, may display less enthusiasm for greater autonomy for Tibet.
Given the large number of Tibetan refugees living in India, the vexed Tibetan question requires to be handled with care. The sooner it is settled, the better it is for all concerned. While the Tibetan Government in Exile is not yet recognised by any country, not even by India, the Dalai Lama’s ‘retirement’ and replacement by an elected leader may well change the ground rules. The complexities warrant continued moderation by the Dalai Lama and it will certainly be in India’s interest to extend all help for a speedy settlement
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