Mysuru, 17 May

Marking 30 years since the abduction of Tibet’s 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, members of the Middleway Tibetan Youth Congress, Regional Tibetan Women’s Association, and Tibetan Students Associations from Bylakuppe, Hunsur, and Kollegal staged a protest march on the main streets of Mysuru on Saturday.

The protest commemorated the 17 May, 1995 abduction of the then six-year-old Panchen Lama by the Chinese authorities, making him the world’s youngest political prisoner. Recognised as the reincarnation of the 11th Panchen Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he disappeared just three days later and remains missing to this day. Protesters expressed deep concern over his well-being and religious education, emphasising his vital role in Tibetan spiritual hierarchy.

Activists also condemned the continued repression under Chinese rule, citing that more than 2,500 political prisoners remain in detention, and 166 Tibetans have self-immolated in protest. They demanded the immediate release of the Panchen Lama and all political prisoners.

They called on the Xi Jinping-led Chinese government to end bilingual education policies in Tibetan schools, stop separating Tibetan children from their families, and respect the cultural and religious rights of the Tibetan people.

Protesters urged the UN Human Rights Committee to intervene and press China for answers regarding the Panchen Lama’s whereabouts.