Tibetan leaders give in to Dalai Lama

Members of the 14th Tibetan parliament-in-exile, which concluded its 10-day session in Dharamshala on Friday, finally gave in to the desire of the Dalai Lama to give up his political role in Tibet’s government in exile.

The parliament-in-exile unanimously passed a resolution to amend the Charter of Tibetans-in-Exile, paving the way for accepting the proposal of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.

 The Dalai Lama, however, would continue to be the symbolical titular head of the Tibetan government-in-exile, for which suitable amendments would be made. He also remains the spiritual head of the Tibetans.

Earlier, the parliament had rejected the Dalai Lama’s proposal to abjure political role, but gave after the Dalai Lama stood his ground firmly. The members of the parliament agreed to hold a “Special Session” for the implementation of the amendments to the Charter. The lawmakers further agreed that they were bound by a “special responsibility” to find a logical conclusion to the matter before the current parliament dissolves in May this year after completing its full five-year term.

Tibetan government-in-exile prime minister Samthong Rimpoche told the Tibetan Parliament that the house had agreed to the desire of the spiritual leader for an amendment to the Tibetan Charter to relieve him of his political duties.