At a cultural rally held in Dharmsala, the seat of the exile Tibetan administration, on May 23, 2012 about 100 Tibetans protested against China’s imposition of the 17- point agreement that was signed between China and Tibet in 1951.
Regional Tibetan Youth Congress’ President Tenzin Tsundu, addressing the gathering, said, “ We protest this agreement because it was forced on us, and secondly, the document was fabricated, even Kheme Sonam Wangdu’s name was misspelled and also forged seals were used. “ Sonam Wangdu was a member of the Tibetan delegation.
He also said that China had deliberately violated the terms of the agreement which eventually led to the Tibetan National Uprising on March 10, 1959 in Tibet’s capital in Lhasa. On March 17th night, the Dalai Lama made his dramatic escape from his Norbu Lingkha Palace in Lhasa.
Soon after his arrival in India, the Dalai Lama, the temporal and spiritual leader of Tibet, issued a statement on April 18, 1959, stating that the agreement was signed under duress, and he declared the agreement as null and void.
Repudiating the 17-point agreement, Tibetans in Dharmsala also held a cultural parade, wearing Tibetan costumes and also awards were given to the best dressed participants.