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Published 20:46 IST, January 21st 2025

Dalai Lama's 90th Birthday Sparks Succession Debate amid Beijing’s Supression

As the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday approaches on July 6, 2025, Tibetans worldwide are preparing grand celebrations under the "Year of Compassion."

Reported by: Yuvraj Tyagi
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Dalai Lama's Succession
Despite China's propaganda efforts and coercive policies, Tibetans remain resolute in preserving their heritage. | Image: Republic/AP

Tibet - As the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday approaches on July 6, 2025, excitement is building among Tibetans and supporters worldwide. The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan government-in-exile, is rolling out grand plans to commemorate the spiritual leader’s incredible journey, designating July 2025 to July 2026 as the "Year of Compassion." While the celebrations will focus on honouring his lifelong message of peace and non-violence, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of anxiety surrounding one critical issue—the question of his succession.

According to a recent Devdiscourse.com report (January 20, 2025), the Dalai Lama is expected to address the contentious issue of his reincarnation during the celebrations. This revelation has only added to the anticipation, given the immense political and spiritual weight his words carry.

A Celebration Overshadowed by Political Tensions

The Dalai Lama's reincarnation is not just a spiritual matter for Tibetans; it's the heart of their cultural identity and struggle for self-determination. Traditionally, the process follows ancient Buddhist customs, where senior lamas search for signs of their rebirth, ensuring continuity of leadership rooted in Tibetan beliefs. However, China, never one to miss an opportunity to extend its authoritarian grip, has been aggressively manoeuvring to control the succession process, turning a deeply religious practice into a geopolitical weapon.

For years, Beijing has been obsessed with inserting itself into Tibet’s spiritual matters, claiming that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must be “approved” by the Chinese government. Their justification? Maintaining “social stability” in Tibet—Beijing’s go-to euphemism for crushing dissent and enforcing its rule through cultural erasure.

China's stance isn't new. In 2007, Beijing implemented Order No. 5, requiring all reincarnated Tibetan lamas to receive state approval—a bureaucratic absurdity that completely disregards centuries of Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Essentially, this means China wants to handpick a Dalai Lama who will obediently toe the Communist Party’s line and rubber-stamp Beijing’s control over Tibet.

The Dalai Lama vs. Beijing’s Propaganda Machine

Despite China’s relentless efforts to rewrite Tibetan history, the Dalai Lama has consistently pushed back, asserting that the decision on his reincarnation rests solely with Tibetans, not Communist bureaucrats in Beijing. In a clear message to the world, the spiritual leader has hinted that he may choose to reincarnate outside of Chinese-controlled Tibet, or perhaps even opt for no reincarnation at all—throwing a wrench into Beijing’s plans to install its puppet leader.

Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong (President) of the CTA, has been equally vocal, recently stating:

"The Tibetan people will decide the future of our spiritual leadership, not the Chinese Communist Party."

But China’s tactics go beyond mere rhetoric. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has ramped up efforts to indoctrinate Tibetan monks, forcing them to attend “reincarnation training” programs designed to exclude the Dalai Lama’s authority from the process altogether. This isn’t just an attempt at religious interference; it’s an outright hijacking of Tibetan culture in broad daylight.

Beijing’s Desperate Bid for Control

Why is China so hell-bent on controlling the next Dalai Lama? Simple—it wants to neutralize the Tibetan independence movement once and for all. The current Dalai Lama, despite his peaceful approach, remains a thorn in Beijing’s side, representing the very idea of Tibetan autonomy that the CCP is desperate to crush. By anointing a Beijing-approved Dalai Lama, China hopes to pacify Tibet and erase any remaining resistance to its rule.

However, Beijing’s plan comes with one major flaw—Tibetans simply do not recognize China's authority over their faith. Any attempt to install a state-approved Dalai Lama will be widely rejected, potentially leading to further unrest within Tibet and beyond. The international community is watching closely, and Beijing's continued heavy-handedness is only fueling global sympathy for the Tibetan cause.

International Concerns and Support for Tibet

The Dalai Lama’s succession struggle has caught the attention of world leaders and human rights organizations alike. Countries such as the United States, India, and several European nations have openly condemned China’s interference in Tibetan religious matters. The U.S. Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020 explicitly warns Beijing against meddling in the reincarnation process, stating that any Chinese-appointed Dalai Lama "will not be recognized" by the global community.

Despite international pressure, China continues to dig in its heels, with state-controlled media regularly pushing propaganda narratives that portray Tibet as an inseparable part of China and any talk of independence as “Western interference.” Beijing’s narrative, however, falls flat in the face of overwhelming evidence of its systematic oppression of Tibetans—ranging from mass surveillance to forced assimilation policies targeting Tibetan language and culture.

The Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday offers Tibetans a chance to celebrate their spiritual leader’s wisdom, resilience, and unwavering commitment to non-violence. For Tibetans in exile, the celebrations will serve as a powerful declaration of their refusal to bow to Beijing's pressure. 

Updated 20:46 IST, January 21st 2025