GoIndiaNews देश की धड़कन
Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang is unsuited to be our Sikyong
The election of the Sikyong has begun and we feel with greater urgency that it is necessary for people to truly understand how a person who has no respect for the Dalai Lama, and no affection for Tibetan compatriots can serve as our Sikyong. Yes, without a doubt, and most are already clear, I’m talking about Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang. Such a commentary is justified. It isn’t an expression of emotion, nor deliberate slander. Of course, while he disrespects the Dalai Lama, he is afflicted with Covid-19 and spreads the virus through the Tibetan community, so I doubt how Tibetan he can claim he really is. So I will set out the qualities that a competent leader should possess, and in particular the qualities that the Sikyong should possess, in order to clarify that Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang is unsuited to be our Sikyong.
Faith. Yes, a Tibetan must have faith. Beyond doubt, respect for the Dalai Lama is the most basic quality a Tibetan must-have. But KelsangDorjeeAukatsang is the exception. In a photo with the Dalai Lama, his head was higher than the Dalai Lama’s. Of course, this isn’t a surprise, because in his heart he only believes in Lobsang Sangay. What he did during his tenure in the U.S. Office is not forgotten. The Kashag’s foreign office is an important public sector department with a service desk, within which the portrait of the Dalai Lama is symbolized. Anyone who sees the Holy image will know that this is the Dalai Lama’s institution, and it is why we receive support and compassion. However, in an unprecedented and rebellious manner, Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang replaced the portrait of the Dalai Lama with Lobsang Sangay’s portrait. Looking back at it, my hands still tremble, and my heart is unable to find peace. His behaviour has angered me and I despised him for his intolerable and despicable behaviour. Imagine a slave leading us with no faith but only flattery? How can we choose him?
Most importantly, the Dalai Lama has publicly requested that Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang not continue to serve as the U.S. OfficeDirector, becoming the first Foreign Affairs director to be prohibited by the Dalai Lama. For us Tibetans, who is the most venerable? Of course, it is the Dalai Lama. We must accept his opinions. All his life, the Dalai Lama has worked hard for the Tibetan cause. Politically he has retired and handles his religious affairs with peace of mind, so while he will not interfere with the political affairs of the Sikyong election, the Sikyong is the right-hand man of the Dalai Lama and must be able to deeply understand the spiritual quintessence of the Dalai Lama in order to implement the great ideas of the Dalai Lama. This is certainly not Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang, because he is not favoured by the Dalai Lama. Therefore, we cannot believe he will fulfil the Dalai Lama’s ambitions.
Love the people. Yes, no matter what kind of leader, whoever a leader is, they should love their people. But does Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang? Of course, the answer is no because he only loves power. He only loves himself or he only loves Lobsang Sangay. Let’s not forget that only a few days after he contracted Covid-19he started canvassing activities in Tibetan areas. Is it possible that our Tibetan lives are so cheap that they can’t match the power in his heart? In his eyes, our Tibetan compatriots are just easy votes. Lacking love for the people, he has no sympathy for us. I heard that he even insulted a 90-year-old Tibetan mother in Switzerland. Yeshe has a smart suit, but this is a terrible state of affairs. How can we expect such a person to take the Sikyong’s position when he hasn’t experienced the suffering of the people? We dare not think of it because, under the guidance of people like him, young Tibetans’ thoughts and behaviours will be twisted. We will lose our faith. Perhaps our children will not know the Dalai Lama but only Lobsang Sangay? Such a person, who has no knowledge of Tibet’s history, culture, and religion, let alone the ins and outs, developmental trends, or international circumstances of the “Tibet Issue.” Think carefully! Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang is destroying our Tibetan culture and traditions. It would be wrong to choose him.
Honesty. Yes, this is the quality that a leader must possess because corruption always goes with power. It only strengthens our need to choose an upstanding, incorruptible leader. But I’m sorry to say, Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang lets us down again. Heis corrupt. Yes, everyone knows it. When he was in California, he used funds prepared by the Tibetan Associations for himself while never considering the suffering of the members of the organization. There is also the tumultuous US$1.5 million incident, and other matters, all of which confirm that he is saddled with a long history of corruption and bribery. Don’t expect a politician who has ever accepted bribes to correct his mistakes. Greater power will bring about greater corruption. When it comes to integrity, one has to talk about character, the nature that a leader must possess, but Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang once again disappoints us. His article in the “Tibet Times” is written in the Tibetan language, but he can’t read it himself. Everyone knows that because he lost his faith, he became a speculator to misconduct. He does not understand Tibetan, nor does he respect the Dalai Lama. He has risen through the ranks by way of bribery and other improper means. After he became the U.S. Office Director, he achieved nothing. Instead, he oversaw a series of serious incidents, each detrimental to the personal safety and reputation of the Dalai Lama. There were also internal rifts in the “Tibetan Youth Association”, the Xia Lin Dazhen incident, the Luobian lawsuits, an incident in which nun believers of Dharmapala slandered and belittled the Dalai Lama, and the concealing of important documents in the U.S. Office.
Pragmatism. Only by being pragmatic can we truly lead Tibetans out of difficulties thereby giving Tibet a future. But we certainly cannot count on or rely on Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang. The resolutions resulting from his and Lobsang Sangay’s “5·50 Youth Conference” are empty political slogans with no substantive content or meaning and no results have been achieved thus far. Recently, he and Lobsang Sangay used public funds to publicize among American Tibetans, especially young Tibetans, in the context of communications with the U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Robert Destro. Their so-called political philosophy is actually to recommend Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang to the people. This is disgusting and distressing behaviour. Our public funds are used improperly. They are spent on private affairs and soliciting votes. In addition, under the guise of Lobsang Sangay and Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang to “propose self-reliance, unity and innovation, and finally bring the Dalai Lama back to Tibet”, Tibetans in exile have been unable to exploit the advancement of the “Tibet Issue”, wasting valuable time to make substantial progress. If we continue to give important positions like Sikyong to people like him then we will always miss opportunities to promote the resolution of the “Tibet Issue.”
My fellow citizens, please carefully consider your voting intentions. There are two possible outcomes from your vote for the Sikyong: the first way is a vote for a person of insight and capability, able to solve the “Tibet Issue”, willing to follow the guidance of the Dalai Lama to change the current status of disunity and division among Tibetans, and able to lead Tibetans’ towards the light. The second way is a vote for Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang. If it is the second, we will continue to face this disastrous status quo, the “Tibet Issue” will continue to be delayed, and the road to Tibet’s freedom will be ever fainter.
