Tibetan parliament deliberates future role of Dalai Lama

In his opening address,the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament,Penpa Tsering,informed the House that the proposed amendments to the Charter,including proposals for His Holiness to remain as the ceremonial head,was presented to the Dalai Lama on Wednesday.

“The Dalai Lama categorically refused to retain the post of ceremonial head of state. Nevertheless,we have conveyed to him the wishes of the Tibetan people,” the Speaker told the House.

On Wednesday,the Dalai Lama had reaffirmed his plan to transfer all his political responsibilities and rejected the proposal to remain as the ceremonial head of state for the exiled Tibetan administration in India.

The Speaker said: “His Holiness has accepted the Preamble and the roles assigned to him in three clauses under Article 1. He has agreed to clauses 1 and 2,but said that he will look into the third clause.”

In the proposed Charter,the Dalai Lama’s duties would be: “…to provide advice and encouragement with respect to the protection and promotion of the physical,spiritual,ethical and cultural well-being of the Tibetan people and remain engaged in the efforts to reach a satisfactory solution to the question of Tibet and to accomplish the cherished goals of of the Tibetan people.”

The second responsibility assigned to the Dalai Lama would be: “…to provide guidance in various forms to the Assembly of the Tibetan people’s Deputies and Kashag in matters of importance to the Tibetan people,including the community and its institutions in exile.”

The Dalai Lama offered suggestions on the third responsibility which is “…to meet with world leaders and bodies,to speak on behalf of the Tibetan people,to explain and discuss their concerns and needs as well as to appoint envoys and special envoys to serve the interest of the Tibetan people.”

Tsering said: “The Tibetan people living inside Tibet need not worry as His Holiness has reiterated that as a Tibetan he would remain committed to play his part in the just cause of Tibet.”

The House also passed a condolence resolution to mourn the passing away of Arunachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister,Dorjee Khandu.

The new parliamentarians will take oath of office on May 30.