New Delhi: A peaceful protest and 49th-day memorial prayer gathering for Pawo Lobga Rangzen (alias Lobsang Palden) was held at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on 20 August 2026, organised by the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi and Tibetan community groups in Delhi. The gathering was attended by over 500 Tibetans, Tibet supporters, and friends of Tibet. The programme marked the 49th day since Pawo Lobga Rangzen self-immolated outside the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 2 July 2026, sacrificing his life for the Tibetan cause.
The protest also raised concerns over China’s so-called Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, which came into effect on 1 July 2026, particularly its implications for the Tibetan language, religion, culture, human rights, and identity. The gathering called for greater international attention to the continuing human rights situation in Tibet and the protection of the rights and cultural identity of the Tibetan people.
The programme commenced with mass prayers in memory of Pawo Lobga Rangzen and all those who had self-immolated for the Tibetan cause, followed by the national anthems of Tibet and India. A one-minute silence was observed in their remembrance.
In a symbolic tribute to Pawo Lobga Rangzen, several Tibetan participants shaved their heads while chanting slogans calling for a free Tibet. The gesture was one of the notable moments of the gathering and represented solidarity with his sacrifice.
Jigme Tsering, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi, delivered the welcome address and presented the Kashag statement. He highlighted that Lobga Rangzen and other Tibetans who self-immolated “sacrificed their own precious lives with the sole motivation of drawing the attention of the Chinese government and the international community to the plight of the Tibetan people.” He further conveyed the Kashag’s appeal to Tibetans “to stay vigilant, prudent and united in resisting the policies of the Chinese government aimed at eradicating the Tibetan identity.”
The Presidents of the Regional Tibetan Women’s Association and the New Aruna Nagar Residents Welfare Association read an appeal to the national and international community. The gathering was subsequently addressed by Dolma Gyari, former Cabinet Minister and former Deputy Speaker of the Central Tibetan Administration, followed by Shri Anil Hegde, former Member of Parliament.
The final address was delivered by the Chief Guest, Shri Dharmendra Yadav, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, who reiterated that his party has been a vocal supporter of the Tibet cause and assured continued efforts to further support the cause.
The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress led a rendition of “We Shall Overcome,” reflecting the participants’ collective spirit of solidarity and hope for freedom. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dorjee Tsering, Tibetan Settlement Officer, Samyeling Tibetan Settlement, followed by a signature campaign and a peaceful march and protest against China’s so-called Ethnic Unity and Progress Law.
