Our general election for Sikyong is underway. This is a significant matter that involves every single Tibetan, concerning their livelihoods for the next five years. Yet this is also a good thing because the Holy Dalai Lama has repeatedly emphasized the importance of democracy. Now we are all following the teachings of His Holiness and fulfilling our democratic rights and obligations. This is what the Dalai Lama has granted us – our supreme rights and obligations as Tibetans. However, we must be soberly aware that although many of us are cherishing and maintaining the democracy advocated by the Dalai Lama, many people are taking advantage of it, tarnishing it, even destroying it.
As I put forward this proposition, one person will spring to your mind – Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang. When I question the loyalty of some Tibetans to the Dalai Lama, he’s always the first to flash before my eyes. The image of his glasses. His eyes, always betray him. He always disrespects the Dalai Lama. As is so often, he damages the reputation of His Holiness and ignores his safety. Disrespect towards the Most Venerable. I really don’t understand. Does a Tibetan who doesn’t respect the Dalai Lama really have faith? What is he doing? How can he lead us? How can we trust him? The expression in Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang’s eyes also reveals a distrust in himself because everyone knows that he cannot be independently-minded. If he leaves Lobsang Sangay, his master, perhaps he will morph into another Lobsang Sangay. A reprehensible thought for a Tibetan.
Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang’s campaign is no secret. It is actually a conspiracy with Lobsang Sangay. The so-called “5·50 Plan” on which they colluded must have been noticed by everyone, but in essence Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang is helping his master Lobsang Sangay to achieve his goal of dictating over the Tibetan people. If we really choose to trust them, then we are trampling on our own beliefs and helping those with ulterior motives achieve their political ambitions. We cannot trust them. They are undermining Tibetan democratic society and treading all over the Dalai Lama’s promise to the Tibetan people.
Of course one thing is clear, from start to finish Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang has not kept His Holiness’ words and teachings in mind, let alone considered us ordinary Tibetans. I am clear that in his view we are just tools for them to ballot. Some time ago, Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang announced publicly he had contracted the Covid-19 virus. But all of a sudden, within a few short days, he had healed and travelled to southern India’s Tibetan community to publicize his political achievements. We can’t help but wonder how he recovered within such a short time. Is it because the rich and powerful have medical privileges, or because, making use of the illness, he intentionally placed himself in the spotlight to gain votes?
What’s even more outlandish is that within a few days of his recovery he went straight to canvass for votes. Didn’t he worry about infecting his fellow citizens with Covid-19? Didn’t he think he might spread the virus through the Tibetan community? In my opinion, Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang is not our compatriot let alone a candidate for Sikyong, and he is certainly not our leader-in-waiting. He should be considered a super-spreader, or, according to prevailing talk, a spy sent by the CCP to wreck Tibetan society.
The election of the Sikyong fully embodies Tibetans democracy and freedom. It is a result of hard work and practice under the Holy Dalai Lama’s leadership. It is the Dalai Lama’s gift to each of us. The rights and duties of every Tibetan are sacred and inviolable. Because of this, can we vote for a person like Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang who is disrespectful to the Dalai Lama? Definitely not. Can we vote for a person like Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang who has no affection for Tibetans? Definitely not. It would be ill-mannered to the Dalai Lama, and disrespectful to the Tibetan people too.
Everyone knows that Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang is incapable of taking on such a big responsibility, but no one yet has appreciated the difficulty ordinary voters face in making the right decision. He seems more like a lost child without the blessing of Lobsang Sangay. His lack of faith in the Dalai Lama cannot be maintained purely by determination, so he will only drag the Tibetan people down. Lobsang Sangay has shown he too is unhappy with Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang. Whether Lobsang Sangay will maintain his pact with him remains to be seen. Lobsang Sangay seems to be with Gyari Dolma under certain agreements. All signs show that Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang’s many shortcomings not only make him incapable of being the Sikyong, but even his very character has been called into question.
My fellow citizens, with the election of the Sikyong approaching each of us may cast our precious vote. However, as a politician disrespectful towards the Dalai Lama, and who does not care about his fellow Tibetans, we cannot vote for Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang. He is not worthy of our election.