Lukar Jam Atsok Calls for Urgent Reform of Tibetan Government-in-Exile

Lukar Jam Atsok

Puran Chettri, KalimNews, November 22, 2024 : Lukar Jam Atsok, the former chairman of the Gu-Chu-Sum Political Prisoners Movement of Tibet, has raised alarm over the growing divisions and dysfunctionality within the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). In a statement posted on his personal social media account on November 14, Atsok expressed deep concern over the current state of the Tibetan government-in-exile, calling it a "den of infighting" and stating that it no longer represents the majority of Tibetans in exile. He warned that if immediate reforms are not implemented, the Tibetan exile community faces a dismal future, one that may ultimately lead to the collapse of its political structure.

A Call for Structural Change

Atsok emphasized the urgency for reform within the CTA, suggesting that it should be renamed the "Tibetan Government in Exile" and restructured to reflect a broader, more inclusive representation of all Tibetan factions, including Khampa, Amdo, Ü-Tsang, and other regional groups. He argued that the existing CTA leadership is divided along sectarian lines, with regional and factional rivalries hindering any real progress toward Tibet’s long-term goal of independence.

"If these changes are not made, we may have no choice but to establish a new government-in-exile," Atsok warned. He suggested that the Tibetan exile community should move away from regional allegiances and instead form the "Six Surname Associations" to ensure fair representation in the Tibetan Parliament, thereby avoiding internal conflicts that have plagued the current system.

Atsok’s remarks reflect growing dissatisfaction within the Tibetan diaspora regarding the CTA's leadership. Many Tibetans in exile feel that the current administration is more focused on personal power and prestige than on the cause of Tibet’s independence.

Infighting and Factionalism

One of the key issues raised by Atsok is the increasing factionalism within the Tibetan leadership. The former political prisoner pointed to the power struggles between key leaders such as Penpa Tsering, the current Sikyong (President) of the CTA, and Lobsang Sangay, the former Sikyong. These internal rifts have led to a split between the Khampa Tibetans and the Ü-Tsang and Amdo Tibetans, further fragmenting the exile community. Atsok highlighted that, rather than focusing on Tibet’s independence, these leaders are more concerned with consolidating their own power.

The divisiveness has even spilled over into social media, with senior officials allegedly forming chat groups aligned with various factions. This has led to growing frustration among ordinary Tibetans, who feel that the leadership is more interested in personal gain than in the collective struggle for Tibet’s freedom.

The Dalai Lama’s Reincarnation and the Middle Way Approach

Atsok’s concerns also extend to the contentious issue of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation. In September 2022, the CTA issued a statement affirming that the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation would be entirely determined by His Holiness. However, within the exile community, there are differing opinions on where the next Dalai Lama should come from, with each faction hoping for the reincarnation to align with their regional or sectarian interests.

Atsok, however, is adamantly opposed to the traditional system of reincarnation. He has long advocated for the end of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation system, believing that Tibet’s future should not be tied to a hereditary title. In 2015, he proposed that Tenzin Gyatso, the current Dalai Lama, should be the last in the line of Dalai Lamas. Atsok argued that the focus should shift from religious leadership to a more democratic and secular form of governance for Tibet, which he believes will better serve the cause of Tibetan independence.

Furthermore, Atsok has been a vocal critic of the Dalai Lama’s "Middle Way Approach," which advocates for greater autonomy within China rather than full independence. Atsok has argued that this policy does not go far enough in securing Tibet's freedom and that Tibetans must take a more direct and confrontational approach to achieving full independence. In 2017, he called for a nationwide protest movement to advocate for the creation of a free and independent Tibetan state.

A Call for Action Before 2026

Atsok’s latest remarks serve as a wake-up call for the Tibetan exile community. He warned that if the leadership continues to fail in addressing these internal divisions, the exile community will collapse. "If the majority of Tibetans in exile remain passive before 2026, the Tibetan exile society will surely fall apart," Atsok said. His call for unity and reform is a plea for the exile community to set aside regional and sectarian differences in order to secure a future for Tibet outside of Chinese control.

As the situation in Tibet and the global geopolitical landscape continue to evolve, the Tibetan government-in-exile faces a critical crossroads. Whether the CTA will heed Atsok’s warnings and move toward a more inclusive and unified approach remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the urgency for change has never been greater.

Puran Chettri

A freelance writer. concerned about India’s religious, political and people’s livelihood issues