Dharamsala: Turning down requests by his
followers to continue, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Monday conveyed to the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile his decision to devolve "political authority" to pave the way for
putting in place a new democratic system to pursue the cause of Tibet.
In his message in Tibetan language read out by Penpa
Tsering, Speaker of the Assembly of the Tibetan People?s
Deputies (ATPD) on the opening day of the budget session, the
Dalai Lama said, "I wish to devolve authority solely for the
benefit of the Tibetan people in the long run.
"It is extremely important that we ensure the
continuity of our exiled Tibetan administration and our
struggle until the issue of Tibet has been successfully
resolved," the 75-year-old leader, who had come to India in
1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, said.
The Dalai Lama had on Thursday announced his decision
to retire as political head of Tibetan government-in-exile and
to hand over his "formal authority" to a "freely-elected"
leader. He will, however, continue to be the spiritual leader
of the community.
The Nobel peace laureate said, "I want to acknowledge
here that many of my fellow Tibetans, inside and outside
Tibet, have earnestly requested me to continue to give
political leadership at this critical time.
"My intention to devolve political authority derives
neither from a wish to shirk responsibility nor because I am
disheartened and on the contrary, I wish to devolve authority
solely for the benefit of the Tibetan people in the long run."
However, he assured the Tibetans that he will continue
to serve them so long he was able and healthy. "As one among
the six million Tibetans, bearing in mind that the Dalai Lamas
have a special historic and karmic relationship with the
Tibetan people, and as long as Tibetans place their trust and
faith in me, I will continue to serve the cause of Tibet," he
said.
He asked the ATPD to take "all necessary steps,
including appointment of separate committees, to amend the
relevant Articles of the Charter and other regulations, in
order that a decision can be reached and implemented during
this very session."
PTI
