New Delhi saw an upsurge of protests near the Chinese embassy on Monday (March 10) as Tibetan activists assembled to observe Tibetan National Uprising Day. The protesters chanted slogans against China’s occupation of Tibet and demanded its freedom. The event is observed every year to commemorate the 1959 revolt against Beijing’s rule, which led to massive repression and the exile of the Dalai Lama.
Protesters Seek Tibet’s Freedom
Holding placards and Tibetan flags, the protesters chanted slogans like “Free Tibet” and condemned China for still occupying the region. Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), a prominent activist group campaigning for the complete independence of Tibet, led the protest.
“EVEN THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA CAN’T STOP THE TRUTH”
Today marks the 66th Tibetan Uprising Day. VTAGgers joined the peace rally organized by @TYCentrex Delhi, standing in solidarity with Tibetans worldwide.
#TibetanUprisingDay #FreeTibet #VTAGIndia #VTAGDELHI pic.twitter.com/gtxlCw3Q9Q
— V-TAG དྭང་བླངས་བོད་དོན་ཞུ་གཏུག (@vtag_tibet) March 10, 2025
Delhi Police moved quickly, arresting several protesters and boarding them onto a bus. An activist video during the protest depicted activists fervently chanting against Chinese occupation while the authorities took them into custody. The detainees were taken away from the embassy vicinity soon after.
#TibetanUprisingDay Went Viral
While the protest was in action, social networking sites witnessed an outpour of support in support of #TibetanUprisingDay, rendering it the highest trend in India. Thousands of individuals, comprising members of the Tibetan diaspora, human rights defenders, and former Indian army officials, joined in to show support to the protesters.
Tibetans and its supporters commemorate the 66th anniversary of the #TibetanUprisingDay in New Delhi, India.#Tibet #India #China pic.twitter.com/yxniSub9mn
— Foundation for Non-violent Alternatives (FNVA) (@ForFnva) March 10, 2025
Significance of Tibetan National Uprising Day
Tibetan National Uprising Day commemorates the 1959 rebellion against Chinese military occupation in Lhasa. The uprising resulted in the slaughter of thousands of Tibetans and drove the Dalai Lama into exile in India, where he remains an advocate for the autonomy of Tibet. Ever since March 10 has been an emblematic day for Tibetan exiles, demanding self-determination and human rights.
Tibetan exile groups, particularly in Nepal and India, hold annual protests despite being restricted due to diplomatic pressure from host nations against China. The Tibetan Youth Congress has been accusing Beijing of suppressing Tibetan human rights, religious faith, and culture for years.
China’s Stand on Tibet
China holds that Tibet is part of the Chinese territory and denounces any pro-Tibet activities as separatist attempts. Beijing has often pressured countries, including India, to rein in Tibetan activism as a threat to its sovereignty.
The recent Delhi protests demonstrate the resistance of Tibetan exiles, noting their call for international support in the face of China’s Tibetan policies. Contrary to numerous detentions and stringent security procedures, the cause keeps gaining grounds on international fora.