Thread by @Madhura_IITM

Not so short thread ahead
Today marks 59 years since the first Commission of Tibetan People's Deputies, representing the three regions of Tibet and the four provinces of Tibetan Buddhism, took oath in front of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. (1/11)

Over the years, democracy in exile has progressively evolved, culminating in His Holiness formally devolving political powers in 2011. (2/11)

The present Tibetan Parliament in exile is unicameral with 45 reps from the 3 regions, 4 sects, Bon religion and from the Tibetan communities in North America, Europe and Australia. (3/11)

As one of @SonikaGuptaIIT's field assistants I had the opportunity to attend opening proceedings of TPiE in Sept 2017. My views on Tiebtan democratization have undergone some shifts. However, the incredibly evocative experience of watching the session has stayed with me. (4/11)

From a short piece written for myself after the visit. "Inside the Parliament hall there is a photo of Potala Palace & a physical map of "ethnographic" Tibet. The map takes no cognizance of internal boundaries. To me, it emphatically produces a unified Tibetan nation (5/11)

In the centre, a photo of His Holiness watches over the proceedings, flanked by the Tibet flag on both sides.The seat perhaps occupied previously by His Holiness remains empty. On a nearby table is an idol of Avalokiteshwara (?). The chitues slowly take their places. (6/11)

The session begins with ceremonious offering of butter tea and drey sil (sweetened rice) to Avalokiteshwara and then to the chitues and finally to the members of the audience. (7/11)

The invocation of the Tibetan national anthem follows. The Speaker presents a report on the conditions of Tibetans inside Tibet, expressing solidarity with them & their struggle. I don't follow the speech but nevertheless find myself deeply moved by it all (8/11)

The opening proceeding performatively&materially establishes Tibet as a nation, serves as an act of remembrance of the cultural destruction&continued oppression faced by Tibetans inside Tibet, reinforces continuities w the past & strengthens commitment tows the struggle (9/11)

Sometimes, given China's growing strength, I wonder if the Tibetan struggle faces insurmountable challenges. But the courage of this institutional form of dissension against Chinese occupation, esp given lack of concerted intl support for the Tibet cause, is inspiring. (10/11)

One could argue that this is only symbolic. Nevertheless I am deeply struck by the power of conviction & resistance animating the proceedings of the TPiE". (11/11)

#TibetanDemocracyDay #Tibetinexile #fieldworkstories