Tibetan government-in-exile honors activist Lobga Rangzen

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the Tibetan Parliament in Exile held a joint prayer service and peace march in Dharamshala, India, to mark the 49th day since the death of activist Lobga Rangzen.

Rangzen died following a self-immolation in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 2. His act was a protest against Chinese policies in Tibet, specifically the recently implemented “Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress Law.” CTA President Penpa Tsering described the law as an attempt to “Sinicise” Tibetans and other ethnic minorities by weakening their distinct cultural, religious, and linguistic identities.

The 49-day observance holds spiritual significance in Tibetan Buddhist tradition, marking the completion of the “bardo,” or intermediate state, before transmigration. While honoring Rangzen’s sacrifice, Tsering stated that the CTA does not support self-immolation as a form of protest and maintains that their struggle will continue through peaceful and democratic means.