China benefits from retirement

The announcement made by spiritual and one of the best known political leaders of the world Dalai Lama that he would retire from active politics. He has reportedly asked the Tibetan Parliament in exile to elect his successor.Dalai Lama is the strongest voice of Tibetans, who struggle for Independence or autonomy from China since he fled to India and took asylum here. He has been living in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh of India since 1959.

Dalia Lama is the most respected leader of Tibetan. He ia Nobel lauriate. He may retire and be replaced by some other Tibetan leader. But it would be very difficult to match his stature and international recognition for his fight against Chinese highhandedness in Tibet by any of his would be successor.

During the forthcoming 11th session of the 14th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile which begins on March 14, he is to formally propose that the necessary amendments be made to the Charter for Tibetans-in-Exile, reflecting his decision to devolve his formal authority to the elected leader. According to him, he desires to devolve authority has no bearing on his wish to shirk responsibility. He is of the view his fecision to retire is to benefit Tibetans in the long run.

China wields its right on Tibet on the basis of its military strength. It is violating all international sanctity when the question of independence or autonomy arises, it quells any upsurge for freedom in Tibet.

Though Dalai Lama has said that it would be his ceremonial retirement and take lead in all the political talks, retirement does not mean shirking from responsibility.

But at the amnnouncement of his retirement, Tibetans are stunned. They do not want Dalai Lama to retire.Karmapa Lama may be chosen as Dalai Lama’s successor but if the recent police raids of Karmapa’s habitation in Dharshala in Himachal Pradesh is anything to go by, he will certainly be no match for Dalai Lama. After the huge amount of money, including Chinese currencies were recovered in the raids, fingers were also raised on the integrity of Karmapa. He is alleged to be working as agent of China in India. While Dalai Lama has been unblemished all his life.

The retirement of Dalai Lama would give relief for China as no other Tibetan leader commands as much respect in international arena as Dalai Lama. He is the only spiritual leader who has always compelled China time and again to think over the fate of Tibetan. So, it is not time for Dalai Lama to retire from active politics. He should only retire after bringing his struggle for the freedom of Tibet to a logical end.