We want our country back: Tibetans

CHENNAI: They might have been driven out of their homeland by a powerful Communist state and made refugees in another country, but their fortitude in claiming back their rightful land has not been broken. Such determination came to the fore here on Wednesday when members of the Tibetan Students Association held a protest at the Memorial Hall, demanding international intervention to get them back what is rightfully their own: their country.About 100 students gathered at the historical hall and raised slogans against the “genocidal regime” in China, which they said had forcefully driven out a pious Tibetan community from their homes and forced their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to live in exile.The protests started with a prayer for peace. Several students then tonsured their heads to showcase their “hatred” for the Chinese regime. Organisers said that the protest was held following a call by the Tibetan government in exile, which wanted Tibetans to gather at a common place in their respective cities and hold a peaceful demonstration in support of those who immolated themselves for the cause of their countrymen in recent times.