Penpa Tsering’s leadership and record under scrutiny amidst Tibetan exile elections

By Tseten Lhundup*

Within the Tibetan exile community, is often described as having risen through grassroots engagement. Born in 1967, he comes from an ordinary Tibetan family, pursued higher education at in India, and went on to serve as from 2008 to 2016. In 2021, he was elected of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), becoming the second democratically elected political leader of the administration after Lobsang Sangay.

Supporters view his political trajectory as evidence of sustained involvement in exile institutions and credit him with efforts to promote Tibetan culture, language, education, and international outreach. At the same time, his career has been marked by persistent controversies, with critics questioning his leadership capacity and raising allegations regarding his personal conduct and political associations.

Questions surrounding Penpa Tsering’s early rise have circulated for several years within the exile community. In 2020, , the son-in-law of , published an open letter addressed to Tibetans that challenged the commonly held narrative of Penpa Tsering’s background.

The letter alleged that after the death of Kathak Rinpoche in 1988, Penpa Tsering married Pema, described as Kathak Rinpoche’s widow, and subsequently gained control over the family’s assets and networks, which, according to the author, contributed to his political advancement. The letter also made claims regarding family disputes and personal relationships.

These allegations have been publicly circulated and debated but remain contested. In 2008, during Penpa Tsering’s tenure as Speaker of Parliament, Pema publicly criticized him, and in 2015, a Member of Parliament, Tenpa Yarphel, made serious accusations against him. Penpa Tsering has denied wrongdoing, and no judicial determination has been made on these claims.

Public criticism intensified following remarks attributed to Penpa Tsering during an interview with on April 27, 2025, while he was visiting the United States. In the interview, he reportedly stated that was a matter of circumstances and acknowledged that Tibet was currently under Chinese control.

Many Tibetans interpreted these remarks as inconsistent with long-held political positions within the exile movement, particularly given his role as Sikyong. The comments prompted protests and expressions of dissent from sections of the exile community, including demonstrations during his visit to southern India in June, where slogans rejecting the statement and questioning his leadership appeared in public spaces near .

Penpa Tsering’s 2021 election manifesto outlined priorities such as adherence to the “Middle Way” approach, the resumption of dialogue between Tibetan representatives and the Chinese government, improvement of the socio-economic conditions of exiled Tibetans, protection of Tibetan culture and democratic institutions, and stronger international advocacy.

As his term progressed, assessments of his record have diverged. Supporters point to his role in advancing international legislative support, including engagement related to the United States’ . Critics argue that dialogue with China has not resumed, noting the dissolution of the earlier and the creation of a Strategic Planning Group that, in their view, has produced limited results. Concerns have also been raised about economic challenges faced by exiled Tibetans, including unemployment and funding uncertainties following reductions or delays in international assistance, as well as the postponement or cancellation of several CTA projects. Observers further note ongoing debates about the visibility of the Tibet issue internationally and the cohesion of the exile community.

As a new general election take place for exiled Tibetans, these differing assessments of Penpa Tsering’s leadership and record have become part of a broader discussion about future direction, priorities, and leadership choices within the community.

---

*Tibetan exile living in New York

Comments

Countrywide protest by gig workers puts spotlight on algorithmic exploitation

By A Representative A nationwide protest led largely by women gig and platform workers was held across several states on February 3, with the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) claiming the mobilisation as a success and a strong assertion of workers’ rights against what it described as widespread exploitation by digital platform companies. Demonstrations took place in Delhi, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other states, covering major cities including New Delhi, Jaipur, Bengaluru and Mumbai, along with multiple districts across the country.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Budget 2026 focuses on pharma and medical tourism, overlooks public health needs: JSAI

By A Representative Jan Swasthya Abhiyan India (JSAI) has criticised the Union Budget 2026, stating that it overlooks core public health needs while prioritising the pharmaceutical industry, private healthcare, medical tourism, public-private partnerships, and exports related to AYUSH systems. In a press note issued from New Delhi, the public health network said that primary healthcare services and public health infrastructure continue to remain underfunded despite repeated policy assurances.

'Gandhi Talks': Cinema that dares to be quiet, where music, image and silence speak

By Vikas Meshram In today’s digital age, where reels and short videos dominate attention spans, watching a silent film for over two hours feels almost like an act of resistance. Directed by Kishor Pandurang Belekar, “Gandhi Talks” is a bold cinematic experiment that turns silence into language and wordlessness into a powerful storytelling device. The film is not mere entertainment; it is an experience that pushes the viewer inward, compelling reflection on life, values, and society.

When compassion turns lethal: Euthanasia and the fear of becoming a burden

By Deepika A 55-year-old acquaintance passed away recently after a long battle with cancer. Why so many people are dying relatively young is a question being raised in several forums, and that debate is best reserved for another day. This individual was kept on a ventilator for nearly five months, after which the doctors and the family finally decided to let go. The cost of keeping a person on life support for such extended periods is enormous. Yet families continue to spend vast sums even when the chances of survival are minimal. Life, we are told, is precious, and nature itself strives to protect and sustain it.

Report exposes human rights gaps in India's $36 billion garment export industry

By Jag Jivan A new report sheds light on the urgent human rights challenges within India’s vast textile and garment industry, as global regulations increasingly demand corporate accountability in supply chains. Titled “Beneath the Seams,” the study reveals that despite the sector employing over 45 million people, systemic issues of poverty wages, unfair purchasing practices, and the exclusion of workers from decision-making persist, leaving millions vulnerable.

When resistance became administrative: How I learned to stop romanticising the labour movement

By Rohit Chauhan* On my first day at a labour rights NGO, I was given a monthly sales target: sixty memberships. Not sixty workers to organise, not sixty conversations about exploitation, not sixty political discussions. Sixty conversions. I remember staring at the whiteboard, wondering whether I had mistakenly walked into a multi-level marketing office instead of a trade union. The language was corporate, the urgency managerial, and the tone unmistakably transactional. It was my formal introduction to a strange truth I would slowly learn: in contemporary India, even rebellion runs on performance metrics.

Silencing the university: How fear is replacing debate in academic India

By Sunil Kyumar* “Republic Day is a powerful symbol of our freedom, Constitution, and democratic values. This festival gives us renewed energy and inspiration to move forward together with the resolve of nation-building”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 26, 2026. On this occasion, the Prime Minister also shared a Sanskrit subhashita— “Paratantryābhibhūtasya deśasyābhyudayaḥ kutaḥ. Ataḥ svātantryamāptavyaṁ aikyaṁ svātantryasādhanam.”

Search This Blog