The Tibet Crisis
The issue of the freedom of Tibet
is a far pressing issue in the 21st Century, especially being just after
the era of decolonization. Tibet, in this regard, is no different, being under
the administrative control of the People’s Republic of China, in other words, a colony of China.
Here, if we are to be rational, we have to evaluate the situation of China and the ideology behind the annexation of Tibet. The Communist regime of China, at the time, we shouldn’t forget, had the ‘Forward Policy’, so whatever the Chinese did was justified, at least in their minds. In other words, they had cause to do, what they did. For someone who has a little sense of knowledge would know that, the concept of right and wrong is a fallacy, so, at the end of the day, it boils down to what one believes and if the Chinese believed that, in doing what they were, they were right, that was just their perspective of things. Besides, probably, the then Chinese Leader envisaged a Unified China with Tibet as an integral part of it, which, again we must note would conform to the “all under one umbrella”, ideology of the Qin Dynasty.
Being an Indian citizen, the opinions in the post might be a little biased, although I shall try to be rational. The fact is China, no matter how much Indians deny, poses a threat to India, given its history with India in the recent past, mainly the 1962 war and the Aksai-Chin issue. If Tibet were to become an independent nation, it would greatly benefit India because there would actually be a land barrier between the two nations. It would also weaken the great nation of China by starving them of natural resources, especially Gold, Iron Lead and uranium and the vast reserves of forests, which at present China is utilizing or plundering (depending on perspective).
The disintegration of China would also greatly relieve the Western Powers. The concept of a Bi-polar World has never worked and history is a witness of that. The rise of China in the various fields and as a nuclear power just makes the Western Powers nervous. , Therefore, the Western Powers will definitely help the cause of Independence for Tibet, not because they care for Tibet but because they fear the rise of China more.
Here, let me make my stance clear, I am for the complete freedom of Tibet, acknowledging the fact that the PRC and Tibetan region of China have totally different cultural backgrounds and although PRC claims Tibet to be an integral part of China, it simply cannot be deemed the gospel truth. That is, of course, personal opinion and whether right or wrong is again debatable but for me it’s right and that’s what matters. My stance is not because I am a Tibetan sympathizer, hell, I have nothing to do with Tibet; but as I discussed earlier, the freedom of Tibet is of strategic importance to India and being an Indian citizen I definitely acknowledge that.
Whilst in a conversation with an acquaintance, I remember the person mentioning since complete freedom from China is not possible, the Tibetans demand autonomy. The thought of which, for some time at least intrigued me but thinking deeper into it, I think this is just a ploy for the Tibetans to enjoy the privileges that they get at present for being international refugees. They can go anywhere in the world and settle in any country they want without much hassle for a visa/ green card or other such documents. So, the idea of autonomy doesn’t fit my small little brain.
The issue of Tibet is not an issue that will be resolved so easily, it is a highly complex issue that the world has to deal with today. There is no black and white, it’s always Grey, in these aspects.
Here, if we are to be rational, we have to evaluate the situation of China and the ideology behind the annexation of Tibet. The Communist regime of China, at the time, we shouldn’t forget, had the ‘Forward Policy’, so whatever the Chinese did was justified, at least in their minds. In other words, they had cause to do, what they did. For someone who has a little sense of knowledge would know that, the concept of right and wrong is a fallacy, so, at the end of the day, it boils down to what one believes and if the Chinese believed that, in doing what they were, they were right, that was just their perspective of things. Besides, probably, the then Chinese Leader envisaged a Unified China with Tibet as an integral part of it, which, again we must note would conform to the “all under one umbrella”, ideology of the Qin Dynasty.
Being an Indian citizen, the opinions in the post might be a little biased, although I shall try to be rational. The fact is China, no matter how much Indians deny, poses a threat to India, given its history with India in the recent past, mainly the 1962 war and the Aksai-Chin issue. If Tibet were to become an independent nation, it would greatly benefit India because there would actually be a land barrier between the two nations. It would also weaken the great nation of China by starving them of natural resources, especially Gold, Iron Lead and uranium and the vast reserves of forests, which at present China is utilizing or plundering (depending on perspective).
The disintegration of China would also greatly relieve the Western Powers. The concept of a Bi-polar World has never worked and history is a witness of that. The rise of China in the various fields and as a nuclear power just makes the Western Powers nervous. , Therefore, the Western Powers will definitely help the cause of Independence for Tibet, not because they care for Tibet but because they fear the rise of China more.
Here, let me make my stance clear, I am for the complete freedom of Tibet, acknowledging the fact that the PRC and Tibetan region of China have totally different cultural backgrounds and although PRC claims Tibet to be an integral part of China, it simply cannot be deemed the gospel truth. That is, of course, personal opinion and whether right or wrong is again debatable but for me it’s right and that’s what matters. My stance is not because I am a Tibetan sympathizer, hell, I have nothing to do with Tibet; but as I discussed earlier, the freedom of Tibet is of strategic importance to India and being an Indian citizen I definitely acknowledge that.
Whilst in a conversation with an acquaintance, I remember the person mentioning since complete freedom from China is not possible, the Tibetans demand autonomy. The thought of which, for some time at least intrigued me but thinking deeper into it, I think this is just a ploy for the Tibetans to enjoy the privileges that they get at present for being international refugees. They can go anywhere in the world and settle in any country they want without much hassle for a visa/ green card or other such documents. So, the idea of autonomy doesn’t fit my small little brain.
The issue of Tibet is not an issue that will be resolved so easily, it is a highly complex issue that the world has to deal with today. There is no black and white, it’s always Grey, in these aspects.
The Tibetan issue isn't so much of an independence problem as it has to do with discrimination and the unnecessary authoritarian rule of the Chinese government.
ReplyDeleteWell, frankly speaking the Chinese have brought a lot of development to Tibet and also offers a defense force to protect Tibet from neighboring Islamic countries like Pakistan and perhaps even incursions from Russia but yes, the Han Chinese are being overbearing and harsh in how they treat and handle some Tibetans but ultimately, a region, ruled by one government or the other, requires development to be brought to a place for the betterment of the people.
Now the problem is in the kind of education and the development that comes in. Are the locals (the Tibetans) gaining from the development too? And is the education being brought to them secular and impartial which does not include nationalistic ideals of China?
That's the main important issue and not necessarily whether they actually get independence or not. If Tibet were to become independent, the Xinjiang muslim chinese could resort to terrorism and make tibet a safe haven. Even neighboring Afghanistan, Pakistan, Other former soviet muslim nations bordering Tibet may result in more illegal immigration or an influx of terrorist elements, etc.
Also, if China wasn't demanding Arunachal Pradesh because of it, being a former Tibetan region, then an independent Tibet may as well be the one demanding it back.
Seriously, are people THAT DUMB THAT THEY CAN'T VOICE THEIR OPINION HERE!? DUMB DUMB DUMBBY DUMB FOLKS! And yes, I'm the same anonymous person who gave the opinion above!
ReplyDeletei was expecting some grueling research done in your work but its all just words pinned up together that u have just recollected.....u shud have done more research why the indians support the Tibetans i undrstand that u have no emotions or don;t believe in people like Aang sung Kyi but before u put ur thoights have a bit of detail as to so why u feel what u r saying is right.....der is no denying the fact the farer away china is frm india the better for us.......... but the TRUTH is China is occupying TIBET forcefully .... and China which is a communist nation with the tag line "down with imperialism" is the same country playing imperialism by crushing the rights of the Tibetans
ReplyDeleteIndians have their own reason to support the Tibetan cause and let me assure you Indians also have imperialistic agendas, the best example is Arunachal Pradesh (which was part of erst-while Tibet) and if it were not China, it would be India that would annex Tibet, given its vulnerability. Also, examples could be drawn from how the Indian Govt. governs the NE with acts like the AFSPA. Yes, Tibet is being occupied forcefully by China and if you think India will support the cause of Tibetan freedom for this reason, I believe you are mistaken. Aang Sung Kyi is a Burmese Leader and her ideals of democracy and peace are well known but that does not mean I need to believe in an ideology she believes in, it's an ideology after all, nothing different from Nazism or Socialism etc. that is a belief and a belief is nothing without believers. In the case the concept of right and wrong is subjective.
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