His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the eminent Tibetan Buddhist monk, is entering his ninetieth year, having devoted his life to peace, harmony, and goodwill for all. Anointed as the Dalai Lama at the age of two, he has, for several decades, consistently advocated for peace and compassion — a commitment that reflects his extraordinary values and profound thought.
When Chinese forces invaded Tibet in 1950 and brutally suppressed protests, killing numerous Tibetans, the world watched in shock and expressed sympathy. However, that sympathy remained superficial, and the conscience of the global community failed to assert itself meaningfully.
Faced with no alternative, His Holiness was forced to flee his homeland and seek refuge in India, along with his followers, to escape the violence and oppression of the Chinese army.
Although then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru permitted the revered monk and his followers to settle in India, he refrained from openly condemning the Chinese aggression. At that time, voices of reason, including that of former President Dr Rajendra Prasad, questioned Nehru’s silence. Sadly, no substantial action followed.
Later, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee went a step further by officially recognising Tibet as a part of China, again disregarding appeals from those in India who urged the nation to stand with Tibetans in their struggle for freedom.
To this day, India has taken no significant steps in support of Tibetan independence. His Holiness the Dalai Lama continues to live in exile in India, with his headquarters in Dharamshala.
Current Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears equally reluctant to support the Tibetan cause. He seems content that the Dalai Lama has been granted refuge in India, without taking a proactive stance on Tibet’s autonomy.
This approach became strikingly evident in 2015, when a major Buddhist conference was held in Bodh Gaya, attended and addressed by Prime Minister Modi himself. Shockingly, no invitation was extended to His Holiness the Dalai Lama — the most revered and senior Buddhist monk alive today — despite his residing only a few hundred kilometres from the venue. He reportedly learnt of the event through the media.
Even more disheartening was the lack of objection from the global Buddhist monks present at the conference regarding this omission.
All these actions seem driven by a desire not to offend China — the known aggressor in the Tibetan crisis.
Equally conspicuous is the silence from Sri Lanka, a nation that proudly identifies as Buddhist, yet has never invited His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The leadership of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist movement also appears indifferent. Once again, it seems clear that appeasing China takes precedence over honouring this global symbol of peace.
While the US Senate has recently passed a resolution in support of the Tibetan cause, it currently exists only as text on paper, without substantive follow-up.
What is truly remarkable is that, despite these repeated slights and the occupation of his homeland, His Holiness the Dalai Lama harbours no ill will — not even towards China.
In a world increasingly defined by conflict, where might is often mistaken for right and peace is dismissed as a utopian dream, His Holiness stands out as a beacon of dignity, non-violence, and universal goodwill. His commitment to harmony across regions, religions, and communities exemplifies the highest ideals of civilisation.
His life and philosophy should inspire hope among all those who yearn for a future defined by fairness, compassion, and mutual respect.
Surely, the world must recognise more fully the immense moral stature of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Every peace-loving and civilised individual across the globe would wish him a long and healthy life.
