Dr. Anupma
Kaushik*
Tibet represents
one of the unresolved problems of the world. On the one hand are the
Tibetans led by the Dalai Lama who claim that Tibet was an
independent country which was annexed by a stronger neighbour i.e.
China. They also claim that their efforts for finding a solution
through peaceful negotiations are not reciprocated by China. They
fear that China is pursuing the policy of total assimilation of
Tibetan people and their culture ruthlessly suppressing any
opposition and waiting for the demise of the Dalai Lama. They also
claim that Autonomous Tibetan Region (TAR) in China does not enjoy
any real autonomy. The Chinese on the other hand claim that Tibet
has always been an integral part of China and TAR enjoys real
autonomy and the Tibetan people have been benefiting from modern
education and economic development since 1950. Any resistance to
Chinese authority by Tibetans is termed by Chinese as a revolt by
traditional forces.
The strategy of the Tibetans led by the Dalai Lama so far has been
to pressurize the Chinese government through international community
to respect human rights of Tibetans and to negotiate with the Dalai
Lama on granting meaningful autonomy to TAR. This strategy has
failed to produce any positive results. So the question is how the
Chinese side be persuaded to negotiate a peaceful and mutually
acceptable solution which in this case is achievement of meaningful
territorial autonomy. Can China be convinced that a peaceful and
mutually acceptable solution will earn it legitimacy and respect in
the world? This is highly unlikely. Can the issue be left to the
future with the hope that by some chance China may turn into a
democratic country and the new democratic leadership will realize
that a peaceful approach is the best way forward to the solution of
the problem. This too is quite unlikely.
The Tibetan leadership claims that they are pursuing a non- violent
struggle to gain meaningful autonomy but their efforts are clearly
not bearing the desired results. Can the Gandhian method show the
way forward. The question than is what would Gandhi have done in
such a scenario. Truth and non- violence were the main planks of
Gandhi’s method. A person who resolves to adhere to truth cannot
remain silent at the sight of violence and injustice. While the
lover of truth ought to oppose violence and injustice such an
opposition would mean ‘fight the evil’ but ‘love the evil doer’. The
lovers of truth or satyagrahis will base their actions on self
suffering using the soul force. What form would it take? What steps
satyagrhis can take? Can Tibetan satyagrahis and their friends
resort to boycott of Chinese goods? Will that persuade China to
rethink the whole issue or should the Tibetan satyagrahis and their
friends try and convince whole world that only a total boycott of
Chinese goods by the whole world can persuade China to rethink the
whole issue. But the big question is will the world listen to
satygrahis? It seems to be a very difficult task taking into
consideration the popularity of cheap Chinese products; big market
of China; economic strength of China; ruthlessness of the Chinese
regime and selfishness of human beings and governments. However,
almost the same scenario existed in pre independence India when
Gandhi talked about these tactics. He was ridiculed and criticized
by Indians themselves. People doubted his methods and were convinced
that they cannot work. However Gandhi walked his talk. He led by
example and lived his talk through simple life style; his readiness
to face police batons; endure imprisonment and hardships and even
face death for his conviction. This inspired a whole nation; people
started using Indian goods instead of cheap foreign goods; joined
the protest marches; left their jobs and studies; went to jail and
even courted death. This included men as well as women; young as
well as old; rich as well as poor; urban as well as rural people;
and educated as well as illiterate. This inspired Martin Luther King
Jr in USA and Nelson Mandela in South Africa. Can it also inspire
Tibetan leadership to engage in satryagraha with single mindedness
and than ask their followers and friends inside and outside Tibet to
follow.
In
Tibetan case this is the most feasible method as Gandhian method
does not aim at defeating the opponent but to forge unity out of
division. This is very important as Tibetans will have to live with
Chinese even after they have achieved their aim. The issue than is
whether the Tibetans are ready to put their heart and soul in their
cause. Are they ready to make the sacrifice and than convince the
world to make the smaller sacrifice?
*Author is a Reader in Bansthali University, Rajasthan, India |