Gandhi Turns in His Grave

India Bans Peaceful Tibetan March

In a speech today the Dalai Lama said to supporters in Dharamshala, to mark the anniversary of the uprising in Tibet :

"Repression continues to increase with numerous, unimaginable and gross violations of human rights, denial of religious freedom and politicisation of religious issues," he said.

His comments contrasted with what, according to his critics, has been a "soft" approach to China over the years.

The Dalai Lama said however that he will not abandon his call for autonomy in Tibet, despite Chinese intransigence and the claim that the country they invaded belongs to them and their violation of human rights.

He also said the Beijing Olympics will be a golden opportunity for the international community to expose China's treatment of Tibetans.

India, on the other hand has decided to side with China, and has banned about 100 Tibetan exiles from taking part in a protest march to the Tibetan border.

Police in Dharamsala say the marchers have been prevented from leaving the area on their trek home, as part of pro-independence protests ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

District police chief Atul Phuljile said authorities issued a restraining order to the marchers not to leave the Kangra district, and "all necessary actions will be taken" if the order is violated.

This is very disappointing from the country which gained its own independence by carrying out its own peaceful marches in their bid to get the British out of India. The India government in a hypocritical move has decied that what was good enough for them is not good enough for Tibetans. A clear case of a democratic country kowtowing to a dictatorship. What kind of democracy is that?

What would the great Mahatma Gandhi have said we wonder ?