Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh: Five prominent Tibetan non-governmental organizations have launched a peace march from Dharamshala to Kurukshetra, Haryana, to protest China’s controversial ‘Ethnic Unity and Progress Law’.
The legislation, set to take effect on July 1, 2026, is feared to undermine Tibetan identity, language, and culture.
The march, involving around 35 Tibetan activists-in-exile, was flagged off by Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration. The participating NGOs include U-Tsang Cholkha, Dhotoe Cholkha, Dhomay Cholkha, the Tibetan Women’s Association, and the Global Tibetan People’s Movement for Middle Way Approach. Their goal is to raise international awareness and garner support for the protection of Tibetan rights.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering expressed deep concern, stating that the law is a calculated move to ‘annihilate Tibetan identity.’ He drew parallels to China’s actions in Taiwan and Hong Kong, suggesting the law is another attempt to suppress ethnic identities. The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has already condemned the legislation. The 345-kilometer march is expected to reach Kurukshetra in three to four days, after which activists plan to engage with various embassies in New Delhi to advocate for the law’s repeal.