The Dalai Lama reads a statement during a ceremony at the Tsuglakhang Temple at McLeodganj, Dharamsala, on Thursday

The supreme Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Thursday announced his decision to transfer his political authority and administrative powers to a leader directly elected by Tibetan refugees. The Tibetan “Kashag” (parliament-in-exile) has, however, appealed to the Dalai Lama not to take such a step.

The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has been in exile in India for over half a century, since 1959, when an uprising in Tibet was brutally crushed by the Chinese Communist regime.
Tibetans living in exile, in India and around the world, also consider the Dalai Lama as their head of state, a responsibility which he would now like to relinquish. Tibetan Kashag leaders said there could be a “constitutional deadlock” if the Dalai Lama does not reconsider as his decision is likely to be turned down by the new Kashag, which will be elected in a few days’ time.
The Tibetan exiles’ top elected leader, the “Kalon Tripa” (referred to as the chief executive or “prime minister” by the Tibetans), will be chosen soon in a fresh election and could emerge as the inheritor of the Dalai Lama’s political authority, while the Dalai Lama himself would continue to remain the supreme spiritual head. But the impact of such a move is uncertain, particularly on negotiations with China. The Dalai Lama said on Thursday that the Chinese were continuing to oppress Tibetan people living in Tibet.
Addressing his people on the 52nd anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day, the Dalai Lama said: “As early as the 1960s I have repeatedly stressed that the Tibetans need a leader, elected freely by the Tibetan people, to whom I can devolve power. Now we have clearly reached the time to put this into effect. During the forthcoming session of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, which begins on March 14, I will formally propose that the necessary amendments be made ... reflecting my decision to devolve my formal authority to the elected leader.”
The Dalai Lama said his decision would “benefit Tibetans in the long run”, and made it clear he was neither disheartened, nor wanted to shirk any responsibility.
“I trust that gradually people will come to understand my intention, will support my decision and accordingly let it take effect.”
But the current “Kalon Tripa”, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, told the Indian and foreign media here that “we (Kashag) don’t feel competent to be independent of the Dalai Lama”, and said the Tibetan spiritual leader had been requested to “postpone” his decision. The Kashag, in a statement, said a “karmic bond” exists between the Dalai Lama and Tibet.
The Dalai Lama, meanwhile, expressed concern at the situation in Tibet, saying China had stationed large numbers of troops all across Tibet and increased restrictions on Tibetans there due to which they “live in constant fear and anxiety”. “More recently (in Tibet), many Tibetan intellectuals, public figures and environmentalists have been punished for articulating the Tibetan people’s basic aspirations... Such repressive measures undermine unity and stability. The reality is that the ongoing oppression of the Tibetan people has provoked widespread, deep resentment against current (Chinese) official policies,” the Dalai Lama said, adding that the Chinese authorities had failed to trust the Tibetans or win their loyalty.
Pointing out that he admired China’s economic development, the Dalai Lama called for China to “earn the international community’s respect and trust”, and added that China’s leaders must develop greater transparency and grant freedom of expression and freedom of the press. The spiritual leader also referred to the recent “remarkable non-violent struggles for freedom and democracy in various parts of North Africa”. Those who heard the Dalai Lama in rapt attention at Dharamsala on Thursday included Tibetans as well as several foreign supporters of the Tibet cause.