Tibetan women living in exile in Shimla organised a peaceful protest on January 31, 2026, to mark the 67th anniversary of the Tibetan Women's National Uprising Day.
The protest highlighted opposition to Chinese rule in Tibet and honoured the sacrifices made by Tibetan women during the 1959 uprising.
The event included participation from Tibetan Buddhist women students as well as members of the exile community residing in Shimla. They gathered to commemorate the struggle for Tibetan freedom and to advocate for the protection of human rights in Tibet. Attendees carried banners and placards while observing the anniversary of the mass protest where thousands of Tibetan women gathered in Lhasa against Chinese occupation nearly seven decades ago.
At the gathering, Tenzin Chheme, a Tibetan freedom volunteer affiliated with the Bharat Tibet Maitri Sangh, stated, “The day commemorates the courage shown by Tibetan women during the uprising.” She added, “On March 12, 1959, thousands of Tibetan women gathered outside the Potala Palace in Lhasa to protest against the Chinese authorities following the invasion of Tibet.”
Chheme further noted, “Tibetan women across the world continue to observe the day to remember those who sacrificed their lives for Tibet’s freedom and to highlight the ongoing struggle for justice and human rights.” She expressed gratitude towards India for providing safety and support to Tibetans living in exile and affirmed that Tibetan women in India remain dedicated to peaceful efforts for their homeland’s freedom.
The Shimla protest was part of a global movement, with Tibetan women in various countries holding demonstrations to mark the anniversary and to remember those who lost their lives during the uprising.
The original uprising on March 12, 1959, involved thousands of Tibetan women in Lhasa rising against the People’s Republic of China’s occupation of Tibet. The subsequent crackdown resulted in numerous deaths and forced over 80,000 Tibetans, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to flee into exile in India.
Since that time, Tibetans have continued living in exile across India and other countries, maintaining their campaign for freedom, justice, and the right to return to their homeland.