In June, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to give the commencement speech at the University of California San Diego-- and some students aren't very happy about it.
A group of UCSD students have decided to protest the upcoming visit by the spiritual leader of millions of Buddhists, claiming that the Dalai Lama is an "oppressive figure" to the Chinese because of his support of a free Tibet. Tibet has been under the control of communist China since 1951 when it became incorporated into the People's Republic of China.
According to Quartz, Chinese students were outraged by the school's decision to invite the spiritual leader to the commencement ceremonies after the announcement was made on Feb.
2. The Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) issued a statement on the messaging app WeChat, declaring that the actions of uc san diego have “dampened the academic enthusiasm of Chinese students.”
Students and alumni vow resistance
“If the university insists on acting unilaterally and inviting the Dalai Lama to give a speech at the graduation ceremony, our association vows to take further measures to resist the university's unreasonable behavior firmly,” warned the CSSA, adding that the group will provide specific details as to the methods of resistance it will use in future statements.
According to the UCSD Shanghai Alumni Group, Chinese students would be offended if the Dalai Lama speaks about Tibet during his visit.
The university, however, has no plans of canceling the Dalai Lama's visit.
Chancellor refuses to back down
The UCSD chancellor, Pradeep K. Khosla, responded to the protests by issuing his own statement. “We are honored to host His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at UC San Diego and thankful that he will share messages of global compassion with our graduates and their families, as well as with a broad public audience,” stated Khosla. The chancellor added that the commencement speaker represents peace, service to humanity and global responsibility-- ideals that are embraced by the university.
