NEW DELHI (AP) — Dozens of Tibetan protesters clashed with police outside the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi on March 10, 2025, as Tibetans living in exile marked the 66th anniversary of their uprising against China, which was brutally suppressed by Chinese forces. The peaceful commemoration turned confrontational when police blocked protesters from entering the embassy, leading to brief detentions as officers wrestled some activists to the ground.
Protests also unfolded across India, with hundreds marching in Dharamshala, known as the seat of the exiled Tibetan government and home to the 89-year-old Dalai Lama. Separately, around one hundred Tibetan women gathered at Jantar Mantar, close to the Indian Parliament, voicing their dissent against Chinese occupation.
Demonstrators chanted anti-China slogans and waved Tibetan flags, proudly singing both the Tibetan and Indian national anthems. Many participants, including children, had their faces painted with the colors of the Tibetan flag, expressing solidarity and defiance. "Free Tibet" and "Remember, Resist, Return" were common motifs on banners waving through the air.
Penpa Tsering, president of the Central Tibetan Administration, addressed the assembled crowd, accusing the Chinese leadership of executing a "deliberate and dangerous strategy to eliminate the very identity of the Tibetan people." He declared, "This marks the darkest and most important period in the history of Tibet. While we honor our brave martyrs today, we stand united with our brothers and sisters still suffering under the oppressive regime of China."
Commemorations were marred by the harsh realities on the ground. Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued statements urging global governments to increase support for Tibetan exiles and criticize China's human rights violations. The organization reiterated, on the same day, the need for nations professing support for Tibetan human rights to contribute to Tibetan advocacy work internationally, document abuses, and help preserve Tibetan culture.
Since the 1959 uprising, which led to the Dalai Lama’s exile, Tibet has experienced severe cultural suppression, widespread crackdowns, and harsh restrictions on freedoms. Recent reports highlighted the plight of Tibetans facing forced assimilation policies, including government-sanctioned boarding schools aimed at erasing Tibetan identity.
Following years of cultural and political oppression inflicted by the Chinese government, the resilient Tibetan community abroad continues to voice their opposition. A poignant moment was observed during the protests, featuring both exiled Tibetan artists and nuns standing silent, paying respect to those who lost their lives fighting for Tibet’s freedom.
Meanwhile, the city of Taipei also witnessed activism surrounding the anniversary. On March 10, 2025, the "66th Anniversary Tibetan Uprising Parade" saw over 100 participants, including Tibetan groups and NGOs, advocating for human rights awareness. The parade commenced at Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT Station and traversed notable landmarks, concluding with calls for the international community to recognize the human rights atrocities committed by China.
Speakers at the Taipei event, including Gesang Gyaltsen, the chairman of the Tibetan Religious Foundation, emphasized the catastrophic toll the Chinese Communist Party's actions have taken since the 1951 peace agreement, arguing it resulted in the deaths of over 1.2 million Tibetans, the destruction of thousands of temples, and the exile of Tibetan leaders.
The Deputy Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission, Wang Youling, supported the event, insisting the Tibetan situation is not merely a local concern but one of universal human rights significance. "We must heed the lessons of history. Today's Tibet may be tomorrow's Taiwan.", he remarked during the proceedings. A moment of silence at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, accompanied by traditional Tibetan prostrations, became the emotional highpoint of the day, honoring the sacrifices made for the cause.
This anniversary resonates beyond mere remembrance; it symbolizes the enduring struggle of Tibetan people for their identity, culture, and autonomy. The solidarity expressed across national borders emphasizes the global desire for justice and freedom. Notably, this year’s observances were marked by the presence of young Tibetans, actively participating and showcasing their commitment to preserving their cultural heritage.
China continues to argue its over six decades of control over Tibet, asserting territorial claims dating back centuries; yet, the Tibetan struggle endures as advocates work tirelessly to revive their cultural narrative and fight for international acknowledgment of their plight.