Tibetans’ dilemma in U’Khand: to vote or to remain refugees

Tibetan refugees are in a fix. Around 1,018 Tibetans living at Dekyiling Colony here had applied for enrolling their names in the electoral rolls, however, now they were giving it a second thought as they would lose refugee status if voted in Indian elections.

The Election Commission on February 7 had stated that the Electoral Registration Officers should not deny enrollment to the children of Tibetan refugees where they were satisfied that (1) the applicant was born in India, (2) he/she was born on or after January 26, 1950, but before 1st July, 1987, and (3) he/she was ordinarily resident in the constituency in which the application for enrollment has been made. Subsequently, the local tehsil office launched a drive for the same.

This was apparently a new situation for the Tibetan Central Administration (TCA) which functions from Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. Thinley Jigme, settlement officer at TCA’s Dehradun office, said the refugees had not contacted his office before submitting their applications. However, most of the applicants were under the impression that they would be allowed to enjoy the privilege of voting right without any change in their status as a Tibetan refugee. They are now reluctant to become a voter in India. “Now, the picture is clear. I’m not ready to enjoy the privilege of being a voter at the cost of losing my status as Tibetan refugee,” said one.