NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY AND JUDICIAL

ACADEMY

B.A.,LL.B(HONS.)

SEMESTER III

ASSIGNMENT FOR

302/303. POLITICAL SCIENCE MINOR

FACULTY IN CHARGE: Dr. MAYENGBAM

NANDAKISHWOR SINGH

SUBMITTED BY

HIMANSHU KUMAR

(SM0120067)
POLITICAL ASYLUM OF DALAI LAMA IN INDIA

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 PREFACE

I feel great pleasure in presenting this assignment entitled “Political Asylum of Dalai Lama in
India” under study. I hope that the readers will find this assignment interesting and the
assignment in its present form shall be well received by all.

This assignment deals with the study of political asylum of Dalai Lama in India and the reason
behind it. Every effort is made to keep the assignment error free. I would gratefully
acknowledge the suggestions to improve the paper so as to make it more useful.

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 AKNOWLEDGEMENTS

On the successful completion of this project, I would like to thank our worthy Dr. Mayengbam
Nandakishwor Singh, for helping me with the research and always attending my queries and
doubts regarding the same. I sincerely thank her for all the support and encouragement without
which the completion of this project could not have been possible.

I would like to convey my gratitude towards our friends and batch mates who have rendered
us their valuable time and without their help this assignment would not have been in its present
shape and form. No work is complete with solo endeavour , neither is ours. I thank each and
every non-teaching staff of NLUJAA, for their unconditional support.

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 Table of Contents

PREFACE................................................................................................................................. 3

AKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................... 4

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 6

OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE STUDY .............................................................. 8

DALAI LAMA – ORIGIN HISTORY: ........................................................................................... 9

TIBET- AN INDEPENDENT NATION: ......................................................................................... 9

INVASION OF CHINA:............................................................................................................. 10

POLITICAL ASYLUM- GOVERNMENT IN EXILE: ..................................................................... 10

NEXT DALAI LAMA CONTROVERSY: ..................................................................................... 11

CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................................... 13

REFERENCES: ..................................................................................................................... 14

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 INTRODUCTION

“These 50 years have brought untold suffering and destruction to the land and people of Tibet.
Today, the religion, culture, language and identity … are nearing extinction; in short, the
Tibetan people are regarded like criminals deserving to be put to death … However, the fact
that the Tibet issue is alive and the international community is taking growing interest in it is
indeed an achievement. I have no doubt that the justice of Tibet’s cause will prevail, if we
continue to tread the path of truth and nonviolence.”

-The 14th Dalai Lama

Although the history of the Tibetan state started in 127 B.C., with the establishment of the
Yarlung Dynasty, the country as we know it was first unified in the 7th Century A.D., under
King Songtsen Gampo and his successors. Tibet was one of the mightiest powers of Asia for
the three centuries that followed, as a pillar inscription at the foot of the Potala Palace in Lhasa
and Chinese Tang histories of the period confirm. A formal peace treat concluded between
China and Tibet in 821/823 demarcated the borders between the two countries and ensured
that, “Tibetans shall be happy in Tibet and Chinese shall be happy in China.”

With the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the newly-established People’s Republic of
China (PRC), openly stated its intention of ‘liberating’ Tibet, but the Indian establishment paid
no heed. True to their words, on 7 October 1950, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) boldly
moved into Tibet. When the Tibetan government desperately turned to India for help, the
Indian establishment was completely at sea. Repeated appeals from Tibet were turned down,
and the Tibetans were advised to settle the matter peacefully with China. It was not that India
was without leverage, but it lacked strategic thinking. A few Indian leaders like Sardar Patel
advocated a showdown with China, counting on covert support from the United States and
Britain, based on inputs from the Intelligence Bureau.

However, the Indian leadership, by and large, was under the thrall of the ‘Hindi-Chini Bhai
Bhai’ facade and decided to bury their heads in the sand instead of taking decisive action. Tibet
has been occupied and ruled by China since 1951 in “a calculated and systematic strategy aimed
at the destruction of their national and cultural identities.” This has often been described by the

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Tibetan people and third party commentators as “a cultural genocide”. The unsuccessful
Tibetan Uprising of 1959, in which Tibetans rebelled in an attempt to overthrow the Chinese
government, led to the fleeing of the 14th Dalai Lama to India. He has lived in exile ever since.
A few hundred Tibetans initially followed the 14th Dalai Lama into exile, and since then
hundreds of thousands have followed. Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru agreed to
provide all assistance to the Tibetan refugees to settle in India until their eventual return. The
Tibetan diaspora maintains a government in exile in Himachal Pradesh, which coordinates
political activities for Tibetans in India.

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OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The study about “Political Asylum of Dalai Lama in India” will help the students to know about
what is the reason behind his asylum. How it affected the India and China relationship.

By the end of the study students will be having idea about what is the political reason behind
his asylum and what is the stand of India on this.

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 POLITICAL ASYLUM OF DALAI LAMA IN INDIA

Dalai Lama – Origin History:

Tibetan Buddhism split into a variety of sects during the late Ming dynasty, the most popular
of which were Sagya, Gagya, and Gadang. Many monks, on the other hand, failed to obey
Buddhist principles and instead served the devil by seeking celebrity and personal gain,
disregarding senior monks, engaging in entertainment, and abducting, cheating, or raping
women. As a result, the Tibetan people have expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation.
Tsongkapa, a monk from Qinghai Province, was studying Buddha Dharma in Tibet at the time.
Seeing all of this, he came to the conclusion that what these monks were doing was far from
what Buddhism required. Then he proposed a religious reform of all sects in Tibet, and vowed
to create a new sect. Tsongkapa completed "Treaties of the Staged Enlightenment" and "Tantra
in Tibet: The Grand Exposition of Secret Mantra" in 1402 and 1406, respectively, laying the
theoretical foundation for the Gelug Sect. Tsongkapa's reform was quickly embraced by
Tibetan aristocrats and serf owners. Tsongkapa established the Gelug Sect by constructing the
Ganden Monastery and appointing himself as its chief abbot. The Gelug arose in Tibet and
Qinghai as a result of their growing influence. The Gelug became the largest sect in Tibetan
Buddhism as a result of Tsongkapa's reformation success.

"Gelug" signifies that Buddhism adherents should always do good and never do evil. The Han
people name it Huangjiao (the Yellow Sect) because its adherents always wear yellow hats.
Soinam Gyamco, the third Dalai Lama, was the first to use the title "Dalai." In Tibetan,
“Gyamco” means “Sea,” and it is also the name of the Dalai Lama of later generations.
Tsongkapa's third-generation follower, Soinam Gyamco, travelled to Qinghai to spread the
Gelug Sect's doctrine. Althan Khan, the Mongolian noble who governed Qinghai, was a
Buddhist who firmly believed in Tibetan Buddhism. When he learned that Soinam Gyamco
had arrived, he gave him a rousing welcome and bestowed the title of "the Overseer of the
Buddhist Faith Vajra-dhara Dalai Lama" in honour of his intelligence and abilities. Then the
titles of "the first and the second Dalai Lama" were given to the former generations.

Tibet- An Independent Nation:

In the north, India shared a border not with China, but with two previously independent nations:
Sinkiang (modern-day Xinjiang) and Tibet. In truth, China was not considered a threat at the

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time of independence because the northern border was negotiated in accordance with the Simla
Convention of 1914, which included the Tibetan people as a signatory. The Simla Convention
established the borders between Tibet and mainland China, as well as Tibet and British India
(the latter came to be known as the McMahon Line). Tibet and Mongolia signed a treaty of
mutual recognition in 1913, and the 13th Dalai Lama and the regents who succeeded him ruled
Tibet for the following 36 years. In 1942, Tibet formed a Foreign Office, and in 1946, it
dispatched congratulatory missions to China and India related to the end of World War II. Until
1949, Tibet was an independent Buddhist nation in the Himalayas which had little contact with
the rest of the world.

Invasion of China:

According to China, Tibet was absorbed about 800 years ago during the Yuan Dynasty,
becoming an inseparable part of China. It has not been a country since and no country has ever
recognised Tibet as an independent state. However, the Chinese government’s claim that Tibet
has been part of China for around 800 years isn't supported by the facts. China’s justified
invasion by that between 1950 and 1959, China peacefully liberated and democratically
transformed Tibet, putting an end to the old feudal serfdom, which was replete with brutality;
a hell on earth with backward masses subjugated by landowners and priests. Actually, Tibet,
which was rich in natural resources and had a strategically significant border with India, was
conquered by China's newly founded Communist dictatorship in 1950. With 40,000 Chinese
forces stationed in Tibet, the Tibetan government was forced to sign the "Seventeen Point
Agreement," which acknowledged Chinese sovereignty in exchange for commitments to
safeguard Tibet's political system and Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetans across the country
continued to resist China's armed forces, and China retaliated with terrible cruelty. The 14th
Dalai Lama was a teenager when his country was invaded and was never able to govern Tibet
independently.

Political Asylum- Government in Exile:

Tenzin Gyatso is the Tibetan Buddhism's 14th Dalai Lama. He was born on July 6, 1935, in a
small hamlet in Taktser, Amdo, northern Tibet, to a farming family. The Dalai Lama's
institution is a relatively new one. There have only been 14 Dalai Lamas in Tibetan Buddhism's
history, with the first and second Dalai Lamas receiving the title posthumously. The Dalai
Lama is the top monk of Tibetan Buddhism and was traditionally in charge of Tibet's

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administration until 1959, when the Chinese government assumed control. Potala Palace in
Lhasa, Tibet's capital, was his official residence until 1959.

The political landscape of China started changing in the 1950s. Plans were made to bring Tibet
officially under Chinese control. But in March 1959, Tibetans took to the streets demanding an
end to Chinese rule. Chinese People’s Republic troops crushed the revolt and thousands were
killed. On March 31, 1959, the Dalai Lama fought his way through the snow to reach
Chutangmu, a tiny Assam Rifles outpost near Tawang, to request asylum in India. Chinese
troops were closing in on the Tibetan leader, clad in the weather-beaten clothes of a soldier yet
instantly recognisable. Capture was only a matter of time. Forewarned, Indian authorities
immediately gave him protection. Finally safe from the Chinese, the Dalai Lama slowly made
his way down to Assam, surrounded by journalists and crowds of cheering inhabitants. The
Dalai Lama fled from Tibet to India with thousands of followers during the Tibetan uprising,
where he was welcomed by former Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru who gave him
permission to form the “Tibetan government in exile” in Dharamsala.

Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru agreed to provide all assistance to the Tibetan
refugees to settle in India until their eventual return. The Tibetan diaspora maintains a
government in exile in Himachal Pradesh, which coordinates political activities for Tibetans in
India. The Tibetan government-in-exile functions from McLeod Ganj, a suburb of Dharamsala.
In 1960, the Government of Mysore (Karnataka) allotted nearly 3,000 acres of land for the first
ever Tibetan exile settlement, Lugsung Samdupling. A few years later, many more settlements
came into being in Karnataka, making it the state with the largest Tibetan refugee population.
Other Indian states have also provided land for Tibetan refugees. The Government of India has
built special schools for Tibetans that provide free education, health care, and scholarships.
There are a few medical and civil engineering seats reserved for Tibetans. Tibetans live in India
with a stay permit which is processed through a document called Registration Certificate (RC).
It is renewed every year or half-year in some areas. While India’s role in the rehabilitation of
Tibetan refugees has been criticised by China, it has drawn praise from international bodies
and human rights groups.

Next Dalai Lama Controversy:

The Dalai Lama is essentially the political and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. Dalai
Lama is also an important figure beyond sectarian boundaries. He is a symbol of the unification

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of the state of Tibet and is an international advocate for Buddhist values and traditions. Each
Dalai Lama is considered a manifestation of the Bodhisattva (Buddha) of Compassion. They
are believed to have postponed their “nirvana” & chosen to be rebirthed in the service of
humanity. The next most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism is the Panchen Lama. The
Dalai Lama is traditionally involved in recognising the Panchen Lama, and the Panchen Lama
is part of the process by which each new Dalai Lama is chosen. The next most important figure
in Tibetan Buddhism is the Panchen Lama. The Dalai Lama is traditionally involved in
recognising the Panchen Lama, and the Panchen Lama is part of the process by which each
new Dalai Lama is chosen.

After the death of the 10th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was announced by the 14th
Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama. However, only three days after the announcement,
Chinese authorities kidnapped the 6-year-old child and his family and instead installed another
boy, Gyaincain Norbu, in his place as the 11th Panchen Lama.As things stand, if there will be
a 15th Dalai Lama he could very well be chosen by the Chinese government-installed 10th
Panchen Lama. This would mean that the Chinese government will have a stranglehold on
Tibetan Buddhism and play the next Dalai Lama as a puppet. On the other hand, the 14th Dalai
Lama has indicated that he might be the last one. He wants the process to be democratised; he
wants the Tibetan people to elect their next leader. By doing this, the Dalai Lama hopes to limit
the role of the Beijing-controlled Panchen Lama. But there is a risk to this method as well –
Tibet is under control of communist China, and communist China is not known for fair and
free elections. With the current Dalai Lama ageing (he is 81), there arises the possibility of two
power centres in Tibetan Buddhism – one in exile, and one in Tibet. This would seriously affect
the Tibetan independence movement and seriously divide the Tibetan people as well.

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 CONCLUSION

Around 1,82,685 (2011 Census) Tibetan community are currently living in India. India did not
integrate the Tibetan community into its civilization but worked towards its preservation and
promotion. For the Dalai Lama’s exile was but the beginning of a huge movement of Tibetan
refugees into India. As things stand, the Chinese government-installed 10th Panchen Lama
could very well be the one to choose the 15th Dalai Lama. This would mean that China's
government would have complete control over Tibetan Buddhism and would use the future
Dalai Lama as a puppet. The 14th Dalai Lama, on the other hand, has hinted that he may be
the last. He wants the Tibetan people to choose their next leader, and he wants the process to
be more democratic. The 14th Dalai Lama has made a series of pronouncements in response to
China's threat, making it difficult for a Chinese-appointed 15th Dalai Lama to be viewed as
legitimate. The United States has intensified its campaign for the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan
people to have sole power over the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama's successor. The Tibetan
Policy and Support Act of 2020 (TPSA), enacted by the US Congress, declares that decisions
about the Dalai Lama's reincarnation are solely within the power of the current Dalai Lama,
Tibetan Buddhist leaders, and the Tibetan people. The future of Tibetan people is not bright as
China is now a super power. It will be very difficult to counter China and liberate Tibet. The
Tibetan people continue to suffer human rights abuses every day in Tibet. Meanwhile, the
thousands of Tibetans living outside their homeland continue to dream of a day when they
could return to a Tibet free of strife and conflict, let alone a free Tibet.

The inaction of India when China annexed Tibet is the one of the biggest blunder ever
committed in the history. By bringing China to the border India committed biggest mistake.
The annexation of Tibet not only compromised the sovereignty of Tibet but also of India. A
pacifist and status quo approach with China will not work, as the Chinese will continuously
look to change the status quo as is the case now with current talks of mutual withdrawal. We
need to proactively start changing the status quo, and let China respond, instead of the other
way around. Some effective pressure points could be questioning Tibet’s and Xinjiang’s
occupation by China, extending support to Taiwan, and rescinding on the ‘One China’ policy-
and raising issues like the detention of Uyghurs in Xinjiang or the crackdown in Hong Kong
in multilateral forums.

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 REFRENCES:

• Mulik, BN. Chinese Betrayal: My Years With Nehru. New Delhi, 1971.

• Shetty, Sudhanva. What Is The Conflict Between Tibet & China? Know About It.
https://freetibet.org/about/china-argument (accessed Oct 24, 2021).

• Choudhury, Sunetra. Blaming Nehru would not solve China problem.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/blaming-nehru-would-not-solve-china-
problem-101635923516764.html (accessed Oct 24, 2021).

• Kishore, Prabhat. Why does India recognize Tibet as China's part?

https://www.sentinelassam.com/editorial/why-does-india-recognize-tibet-as-chinas-
part-559683 (accessed Oct 24, 2021).

• Rechard, Berenice. 1959: The Year the Dalai Lama and Thousands of Tibetan Refugees
Fled to Arunachal. https://thewire.in/culture/1959-the-year-the-dalai-lama-and-
thousands-of-tibetan-refugees-fled-to-arunachal. (accessed Oct 24, 2021).

• Sikri, Rajiv. “THE TIBET FACTOR IN INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS.” Journal of

International Affairs 64, no. 2 (2011): 55–71. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24385534.

• Norbu, Dawa. “Tibet in Sino-Indian Relations: The Centrality of Marginality.” Asian

Survey 37, no. 11 (1997): 1078–95. https://doi.org/10.2307/2645742.

• Yang, Yun-yuan. “Controversies over Tibet: China versus India, 1947-49.” The China
Quarterly, no. 111 (1987): 407–20. http://www.jstor.org/stable/653298.

• S. C. S. “Indian Reactions to the Crisis in Tibet.” The World Today 15, no. 6 (1959):
236–46. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40393148.

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