The Historic Kalon Tripa Election

Friday, March 18, 2011

Tibetoday
By Tharchin Y. Goenpo
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Toronto, Canada-- The restive hilly region, Dharamsala also known as the little Lhasa in exile is the hub of Tibetan administration in exile. The exile government has recently been setting a shining example to the rest of the world particularly the Chinese Communist regime with its ongoing Chitue (parliamentary) and Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) elections which are scheduled on coming Sunday, 20th March. 2011.

With minimal or no resources, the Tibetan exile government has successfully been preparing for the third directly elected Kalon Tripa's (Prime Minister) election which also coincides with the 15 Chitue (Parliamentary) election after the fruitful preliminary election. Unlike the first two Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) elections, this year’s election has been recieving more attention and participation from people. During the first term Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche won unanimously while in the second term he won it uncontested. Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche was considered the best bet to shoulder the responsibility of the first directly elected Kalon tripa at that time. He is not just a Buddhist scholar but also an academician, philosopher, erudite statesman, unparalled debater and a political scholar. During those time, it was almost near impossible to think of an another candidate than Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche for the post of Kalon tripa.

However, the third term’s kalon tripa election is a complete different scenario as Prof. Samdhong is not in the candidacy. So the post of Kalon tripa has become an open position to be contested for where every candidate has got an equal edge. Interestingly, Tibetans are seeing three lay persons but highly qualified ones contesting for the post of Kalon Tripa for the first time. The former Cabinet minister and one of the longest serving civil servant Tashi Wangdi, Havard Law Professor and Chinese policy specialist Dr. Lobsang Sangay, and Former Kalon Tripa and one of the most dynamic civil servant Tenzin N. Tethong are the three final candidates for the post of Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister).

The competition among three candidates has been fierce since the announcement of the result of the preliminary round led Dr. Lobsang Sangay followed by Tenzin N. Tethong and Tashi Wangdi. Eventhough Tibetans have no political parties to organize campaigns for the respective candidates but the community organizations, Tibetan NGOs, Tibetan Youth organizations and media organizations have stepped up and organised more than 15 debates and discussions with three contesting candidates throughout the world. It is an examplary event that even the western democratic nations should have noticed about what the Tibetan exile community has been doing successfully to uphold the principles of non-violence and democracy.

It is truly a revolution set by the Tibetan exile community with minimal resources but shining with a true democratic spirit. The highlight of the debate is the recently concluded debate on Kalon Tripa election among three cadidates held at the Newseum, Washington, DC. It was hosted by Voice of America Tibetan Service. The three final candidates, Tashi Wangdi, Lobsang Sangay, and Tenzin N. Tethong parcipated in the debate. Tibetans across the globe has keenly watched the much anticipated debate through live video streaming over the internet. Who knows, some of the Chinese Communist Politburo heads might have also watched the debate.

In addition, the election campaigns are also done by the respective candidates for the first time in the history of the Tibetan election in exile. The Candidates even visited most of the remotest Tibetan communities and settlements in India, Nepal, Bhutan and in the west as well. Hence, this election has been the revolution and unprecedented in the history of Tibetan peoples’ struggle for freedom. The standard has been set very high. It clearly sends a strong signal to the Chinese Communist regime that the struggle for the freedom of Tibet is and will be carried forward by the Tibetan people for another fifty years if the Tibetan issue isn’t resolved during the life time of H.H. the Dalai Lama. The Chinese regime’s play of the waiting game is going to be counter productive.

Over 150,000 Tibetans exiles living outside Tibet have voted during the preliminary round and are enthusiastically participating in election discussions since then. It is the internet, the social media like youtube, facebook, twitter and the web streaming of live discussions and debates have been playing a significant role in binding Tibetans into a virtual nationhood despite being scattered all over the world. According to some sources, even the Tibetans from inside Tibet are sending messages secretly to their favorite candidates despite severe restrictions throughout Tibet.

The responsibility and the post of the Kalon Tripa has become all the more significant as H.H. the Dalai Lama has already forwarded his complete retirement from the political responsibilities to the house. Actually this idea is not secret at all. His Holiness has been coming up with this idea of complete retirement for many years now. However, most of the Tibetans are not in position to accept this proposal from His Holiness for many reasons which many foreigners may not know.

H.H. the fifith Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso assumed both political and religious leadership of BhoeShung GadenPodrang, earstwhile independent Tibetan government in 1642. So the relationship between Tibetan people and the institution of Dalai Lama as both the political and religous leader of Tibet has extended for over 369 years. Therefore, it is tough for every Tibetan to come out of the comfort zone, Tibetan government without the leadership of H.H the Dalai. In fact, it is a serious concern for many of us as we as a nation has taken the leadership of H.H. the Dalai Lama for granted for so many generations. When the Chinese Communist regime has been changing its strategy now and then, I think His Holiness has made a smart move to favour the Tibetan struggle in the long run.

In addition, the institution of Dalai Lama is still much older. It is approximately 620 years old since the first Dalai Lama, Gedun Drupa (1391-1474). Tibetans and Tibetan origin people have a strong and unbreakable bond with the successive Dalai Lamas. Kundun is workshipped as their god king, Yeshin Norbu (wish-fullfilling Jewel), ChenreZig, the Buddha of compassion in human form. This rock solid and unique relationship established based on faith, teacher and disciple relationship for so many generations in some way formed like the strongest bond that has ever been found in the human relationship. Therefore, the Tibetan peoples' unwillingness to accept His Holiness retirement from the political leadership is indeed understandable. It takes time for the common Tibetans to garner courage and the vision to relieve His Holiness from the day to day political affairs of the Tibetan government in exile.

The time proximity of the H.H. the Dalai Lama’s retirement announcement and the approaching Kalon Tripa election has sent a strong message to every Tibetan. I think this is a profound political and strategic move which the Tibetans and the Tibet supporters should think logically and realistically instead of getting carried away by the emotional wave. It will take time to comprehend its significance. After all, His Holiness has contemplated on this decision for so many years and is well aware of this inevitable anxiety among Tibetans and Tibet supporters.

I think there is no need to get anxiety over the leadership void instead we should prepare ourselves for the new era, the Tibetan political administration led by the elected Prime Minister. In fact, the situation would be much worse if this occurs after the death of His Holiness. So why not we prepare our selves to face the inevitable reality now when His Holiness is alive. In fact, it would be much better and comforting for the father to see his son standing successfully on his own feet while he is still alive. However, I would like to remind every reader to not to get misunderstood about what I am trying make a point here. I also wish H.H Dalai Lama’s leadership as both religious and political leader to stay forever like we do in our everey day prayers, but the time has come to see the change in leadership considering all the tricky scenarios and situations revolving around Tibet’s issue at this time. I think the timing is right if not too late.

Dharamsala based Tibetan government in exile is the continuation of the erstwhile independent government of Tibet. Irrespective of what the foreign nations stands are, what matters most is the Tibetan peoples’ support and the acceptance of the exile government. Therefore, I urge every SumYoe Tibetans of all ages to swarm to the pooling stations on 20th March. 2011 to elect our third Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) and Chitue (Parliamentarians) and to show our unflinching support and acceptance to the Dharamasala based administration as the legitimate government of Tibet and Tibetan people. It is where the 6.5 million Tibetans’ god king, Yeshin Norbu (wish-fullfilling gem) resides and it is where our heart is.

Bhod Gyal Lo!

Tharchin Y. Goenpo is a Toronto based independent filmmaker, photographer, freelance journalist, political observer and the founder/director and owner of Tibetoday.