viewpoint

As the world watches mutely, hundreds of Tibetans are losing their lives. They had lost their freedom long time back, so no one is actually shedding a tear about that!

What is surprising is that the world at large has been subscribing to the Chinese view. That includes the Indian government, and some leading newspapers in this country. I was appalled to note that the Hindu, which is on this weblog’s list of favourite sites, chose to publish what read like a Chinese press release in its editorial titled ”The question of Tibet” (March 26, 2008).

The editorial was a stunner and raises many questions about The Hindu’s editorial policy. It taken a highly biased, pro-China, stand. The editorial mentions that Tibetan demonstrators committed arson, to the extent of killing people on March 14. Why didn’t The Hindu or any other newspaper not cover this earlier?

You editorial also goes on to equate Tibet with Kashmir. That Kashmir is not accepted by vested interests as part of India is not our headache. Kashmir acceded to India as part of the partition agreement. Princely states had the right to join either India or Pakistan. When the accession of other states is not questioned, why should Indians themselves doubt the legality of Kashmir? It was shocking to see such flawed logic to justify Chinese policy. Another needless reference in the editorial is between the demand for ‘Greater Tibet’ and breaking up of states in India. If newspapers were to begin dispensing such logic like politicians, where would we end up?

It is also news, as per the editorial, that political discussions have been going on between Tibetans and China for three decades. If Tibet is a part of China, then why should there be any negotiations at all?

That the entire world dare not challenge China’s hegemony over Tibet, thanks to its military and economic power, does not mean that all is hunky-dory in China and Tibet.

But then all is not lost. We still have conscientious men like Baichung Bhutia who have the guts to stand up.