Shariful Islam
1. Introduction & Background
A refugee is as any person who: “As a result of events occurring before 1 January 1951 and owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted … is outside his country of nationality…”[1] The term Tibetan refugee came into being because of the domination, torture of China in Tibet. It was in the year 1949 that China occupied the rich religious and cultural state of Tibet and since then it has continued to exercise dominion over the people through the presence of a large occupation force. China’s invasion of Tibet started in 1949 and by 1959 it had occupied the whole of Tibet. And as a direct result of Chinese occupation, over 1.2 million Tibetans were died and over 6,000 monasteries in Tibet have been destroyed.[2] The Dalai Lama was compelled to take refuge in India and over 80,000 Tibetan refugees followed him.[3]
Following the mass exodus of Tibetan refugees, they came in India in 1959, and the then Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawharlal Nehru granted asylum and rehabilitated them in Refugee Camps across the length and breadth of the country.[4] But those not yet rehabilitated into these settlements was settled at the present plot of “Samyeling” New Aruna Nagar. Thus the Tibetan colony of Majnu ka tila developed on the banks of river Yamuna, North of Delhi on National Highway 9, covering an area of about 64627.42 sq mts.[5]
The colony is divided into 12 blocks and comprising of about 350 permanent registered families and many more tenants and outstation studnets. An elected governing body of 7 members is directly elected by the people for a term of 3 years. Central Tibetan Administration has a permanent representative known as the Settlement Officer. Permanent population of the colony is about 3000.[6]
Though Indian Government received him warmly but did not accord recognition to his government in exile. This has been a major obstacle for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his government in exile, in the struggle towards the ultimate goal of an independent Tibet and also in their efforts to meet social and economic needs while in exile.
1.1 Rationale & Significance of the Study
This study becomes important because it gives us the rare opportunity to look at the the praxis of theories of Conflict Transformation and Peace building at field level through testing socio- political and economic conditions in Tibetan refugees in Maznu ka Tila. So, it provides us in-depth first-hand knowledge about the conflicts of Tibetan refugees in Maznu ka tila. Furthermore, the study carries a great significance since refugee problems can be also a catalyst to exacerbate the conflicts whether inter-state or intra-state. Here, there are also national as well as regional implications which need to take into board. It also provides us new insights that in well-to-do societies also, there can be overt as well as latent conflicts. Finally, although the issue is very crucial, very few rigorous studies have been conducted on this.
1.2 Methodology
1.2.1 Filed work
Field work was conducted in Maznu ka Tila, a Tibetan refugee’s colony. We visited there thrice and our total number of respondents was 11, including three local authority personnel and one Parliamentary member. To interview of the Parliamentary Member from Tibetan authority, we also visited Laspat Nagar. We interviewed both male and female, from local authority to Parliamentary member. So, we attempted to give a proper representation. 1.2.2 Data collection
Primary data was collected using open-ended interview. Using open ended questions enabled flexibility. In addition, open ended questions gsve our respondents the freedom to share their experience as refugees. The issues we covered were: what are the problems they faced? there are any conflict or not, what is their source of income, what is the education system, how they see the role of Chinese government as well as Indian government, Is there any role of INGOs etc and thereby illuminating more issues related to the research topic.
Our most of the data are from primary sources. But to make a rigorous study, we also take the assistance from secondary data like a few documents provided by the New Arunanagar Resident Welfare Association, Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre (TPPRC), and relevant documents available in the internet.
To facilitate data collection, we divided our common group into three sub-groups having one girl and boy. So, there was proper representation.
1.2.3 Data Analysis
Data analysis was mainly qualitative. We gathered together several times, discussed and interpreted it. Finally, we shared all the information we collected and analysed among ourselves.
1.2.4 Challenges and Limitations
There were some limitations like the women and some young boys were reluctant to talk about the issues since many of them were scared about talking this issue. Secondly, five members of our team do not communicate in Hindi as a first language this acted as a hurdle in communicating with the respondents as most of them do not know English. Furthermore, we also attempted to take email interviews where the response from the respondents was not so frequent. Finally, reaching the highest authority, for instance elected representative was so much challenging.
2. Socio-Politico-Economic-Cultural Set Up
2.1 Social Conditions
The force occupation of Chinese in the name of liberation policy has cost dearly to Tibet in terms of social, cultural and economic condition unlike any other interference in the past. The Tibetan refugees experienced both psychological fear and physical exhaustion while crossing the high Himalayas during their way to India.
The preservation of the unique Tibetan culture, religion, heritage and national identity through the rehabilitation of refugees assumed enormous importance resulting in the establishment of different cultural and educational institutions. Although the Tibetan culture faces a threat in Tibet, it survives in exile. In India, the Tibetan refugees are able to express their grief and voices to the world in the international level at different platforms. The hard work, dedication and struggle in preserving their identity and culture along with the respect for the local Indian culture has made the Tibetan refugees one of the most successful refugees in the world.
But the problem what we found, they feel very often insecurity because they suffer from identity crisis. Tibetans cannot get Indian citizenship. So, they are deprived of many things although some becomes educated, qualified enough but cannot engage with the Indian society. Furthermore, they cannot buy any land in India. The hotels are owned by the local Indians and Tibetans run that. What the profit, they share it among themselves. But the small shops are owned by the Tibetans. And here a large engagement of women in earning activities is observed. For instance, almost most of the shopkeepers were the women in jewelary, ready-made garments shops. Ladies in traditional Tibetan dresses are engaged in selling silver and metal jewelary on the streets are common.
The colony has its own day school, health clinics, and two temples of worship. The children can take both Tibetan and India medium of education. Very few enter into higher education because of lacking of resources and opportunity and environment.
Another point what we noticed is that the colony is a zigzag of narrow lanes that get narrower as one reaches the core of the colony. There are dumps of garbage every few steps and power cables dangle precariously at corners.
2.2 Economic conditions
For years, Majnu ka Tila has been the abode of Tibetans living in exile. The locality is dotted with Tibetan establishments. So much so that people heading for Dharamshala, the home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile, make a port call here first. So, this is one of the major sources of income according to our respondents.
And thus, the economy of Majnu-ka-tilla centers around hotels and restaurants.In addition, there is a market of retail stalls (including bookshops, curio shops, metalsmiths, and a beauty parlor), internet cafes, and travel agencies.Most of them are engaged in small businesses on besides street by selling artificial ornaments, religious items and momos. This occupation of small business is mainly dominated by those recently arrived from Tibet and they stay in small congested rented rooms. The first generation of refugees owned their own hotels, restaurants and personal shops. They have a comfortable life as compared to newly arrived Tibetans. Most of the educated youngsters are engaged in the government jobs at Central Tibetan Administration as well as in some other NGOs and different cultural institutions. Another important occupation of Tibetan refugees is sweater selling in different parts of Indian states. Many Tibetan refugees works at garments factoris.
Although the economic condition of many are well-to-do but still now many of them are still left in very poor conditions. According to Lobsang Tsering, one of the officials at New Arunanagar Resident Welfare Association, “Maznu ka tila has a very limited space with huge number of people which creates problems for the establishment of new businesses there”.[7] He also mentions the lack of knowledge of Indian law among the Tibetans.
The overall economic conditions of Tibetan refugees at Maznu ka Tila have improved greatly in the recent period due to the support from Indian government as well as the Central Tibetan Administration recognized by the respondents. It is also an outcome of the hard work and the effort of Tibetans themselves.
2.3 Political conditions
What makes the Tibetans different from other refugees living in India without a State is the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama through the Central Tibetan Administration. Though the Tibetans operate under the Central Tibetan Administration, Indian Government has the power to restrict movement inside India, limit employment opportunities, control exit and entry permits.
Although India does not recognize the Tibetan Government in exile, it however, with the support of UNHCR and other foreign donor agencies, has been successful in establishing settlements in India. But they never had legal title to the land. Another one of the major political developments is that they have elected representative. But as they are refugees, they definitely suffer from identity crisis and they have no right to protest.
3. Conflict Mapping
From our study, we found that there are a number of factors which plays a vital role whether as a connector or divider. The connectors and dividers of Tibetan refugees in Maznu ka Tila are given in the following Table.
Table: Connectors and dividers in Tibetan refugees at Maznu ka Tila
Based on these connectors and dividers, the conflict mapping is drawn below:
Explanation
Herr, our centre focus is Tibetan refugees in Maju ka Tila. And the explanation is that, the Government of India, Dalai Lama, Central Tibetan Administration, Refugees from other parts of India and World, UNHCR and other donor agencies, External parties like EU, USA, Canada plays the role as connector. On the other hand, the government of China plays the role as divider.
4. Some Policy Recommendations & Concluding Remarks
The Tibetan refugees at Maznu ka Tila have a better situation as compared to other refugees since they are economically well-off. Since many do not have proper knowledge and therefore, need better access to legal resources and education, to fully understand UN and Indian refugee charters and laws, to know the full scope of rights and restrictions that apply to refugees, and to pursue citizenship or immigration through legal processes. Some specific recommendations to the Government of India, China and INGOs are as follows:
To the Government of India
- Accede to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol.
- Develop a national law protecting the refugees. A legal framework should be developed to process matters in respect of determination of refugee status, protection from any harassment, and treatment during sty of refugees. Some provisions of the framework can be:
- A person shall be excluded from refugee status if he or she is convicted for a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against humanity;
- no refugee or asylum seeker shall be expelled or returned to a place where there are reasons to believe his or her life or freedom would be threatened;
- during the determination of his refugee status, the asylum seeker shall be entitled to all assistance including that of an interpreter and legal practitioner;
- Promoting operations of UNHCR, and Increase funding of UNHCR
- Minimize the number of documents necessary to demonstrate residency in Delhi
- Concession or Free access to refugee children in schools
- Increase awareness about refugees in local communities
- Hiring more staff
- Pressurize the UN to make efforts to restore peace and order in such areas of Conflict.
To the UNHCR:
- Urge the government to follow the1951 convention and encourage the development of a domestic law
- Reduce prolonged delays in the registration and recognition process by increasing staff and resources.
- While cases are pending with UNHCR, mechanisms to be developed ensuring protection
- Expand and promote the resettlement process along with increase in number of referrals
- Develop closer working relations and coordination with community based refugee committees ensuring protection, information sharing & opportunities for work by increasing its presence in West Delhi, allotting more public hours and advance notices
- Ensure all refugees including unrecognized by UNHCR have access to basic amenities
- Review and reform eligibility requirements to obtain subsistence allowance
- Arrange for accommodations for most vulnerable women
To the Government of China
- Arranging a process of negotiation to resolve the Tibetan crisis
- Respecting the dignity of human beings
- Providing recognition as a Nation
- Stopping the intrusion in the Tibetan area.
In conclusion, the bottom-line is that all the countries should come forward for a reasonable solution to resolve the long-term Tibetan crisis. If China resolves this Tibetan issue, there is a probability of deepening India-China relations since India supports Tibet. Since states are creation for the well-being of it’s citizens, state’s apparatus should not be uses in the exploitation of other individuals. And hence, a reasonable resolution of Tibetan crisis is a demand of time.
[1] Handbook on Procedures and Criteria for Determining Refugee Status under the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, UNHCR 1979, Geneva, p.3, retrieved on April 7, 2013, from: http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/refugeehandbook.pdf
[2] Understanding the Issue of Tibet, Tibetan Parliamentary & Policy Research Centre, 2012 (2nd edition), p.2-3
[3] Ibid, p.2
[4] Brief History of Samyeling, New Arunanagar Colony, Document provided by the New Arunanagar Resident Welfare Association, Maznu ka Tila, Delhi.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Personal interview with Lobsang Tsering, New Arunanar Resident Welfare Association, dated on April 5, 2013.
CTPBSAUIR 
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