Several Tibetan students in Chennai are actively involved in a signature campaign that began on July 6.
For the last four months, over 160 students associated with the Tibetan Students Association of Madras (TSAM) have been campaigning to gather public support and to bring out the truth behind self-immolation and human right violations in Tibet.
“Tibetan Parliament-in-exile has been conducting a number of activities supporting Tibetan demands. The ‘Flame of Truth’ rally is one of the activities and signature campaign is part of the rally.
The Flame of Truth relay came to Chennai in July and it was led by Karma Yeshi, Member of Tibetan parliament-In-Exile,” said Tenzin Phuntsok, president of TSAM.
A student of MCC, Tenzin said, “We initially campaigned in schools and colleges. Our 160-odd members have formed different groups and each group is responsible for collecting signatures in different areas.
We are able to explain our issue to schools and colleges, but it’s difficult for us to communicate with the public as we find it difficult to speak the local language. But we have been successfully creating awareness and getting signatures from local people.”
“For the last two years many of our Tibetan brothers, sisters and monks have set themselves ablaze and their number has reached 70. We need support,” said Tsering Yangdol, a student of Ethiraj College.
The campaign will end on November 15 and signatures all over the country will be submitted to the UN on the occasion of Human Rights Day on December 10.