• 29 Dec, 2025
 
• Admin
 

China’s Military Deployment and Massive Crackdown at Larung Gar Buddhist Academy

China’s latest military deployment at the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, Serthar County, Karze, signifies yet another attempt to tighten control over Tibetan religious institutions. Reports indicate the deployment of approximately 400 troops and multiple helicopters to enforce stricter surveillance and implement regulations targeting religious practitioners. This escalation aligns with China’s broader campaign of cultural and religious repression in Tibet.

Stricter Regulations and Residency Limitations

According to reports, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) plans to enforce stringent rules starting next year that will:

• Restrict the residency of monks and nuns to a maximum of 15 years.
• Mandate all religious practitioners to register with the authorities.
• Reduce the overall population of the monastery.

This targeted approach includes the expulsion of Chinese students, indicating a calculated effort to diminish the academy’s influence.

History of Repression at Larung Gar

Founded in 1980, Larung Gar has grown to become the largest Tibetan Buddhist study center globally, attracting thousands of monks, nuns, and lay practitioners. Over the years, it has faced repeated crackdowns:

• 2001: Major repressive measures reduced its size and population.
• 2016-2017: A massive demolition campaign, beginning on July 20, 2016, led to the destruction of thousands of buildings and the forced eviction of numerous residents. These demolitions, which continued until May 2017, halved the population from an estimated 10,000 to a much smaller number.

Despite claims by Chinese authorities that these demolitions were part of a “renovation” plan, the lack of transparency and denial of access to foreign journalists undermines their credibility. Organizations like Free Tibet have repeatedly criticized these measures, emphasizing their destructive impact on Tibetan culture and religious freedom.

Broader Context of Tibetan Repression

The ongoing measures at Larung Gar must be viewed in the context of China’s decades-long repression in Tibet. Since the invasion by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in 1950 and the subsequent annexation in 1951, Tibet’s cultural, religious, and political freedoms have been systematically eroded. The 1959 Tibetan Uprising, which forced the Dalai Lama into exile in India, marked a turning point in Tibet’s struggle for freedom.

China’s policies aim to undermine Tibetan identity through measures such as:

• Imposing Sinicization on Tibetan Buddhism.
• Restricting the teaching of the Tibetan language.
• Enforcing mass surveillance in monasteries and public spaces.

Call for International Action

The Tibet Rights Collective condemns the deployment of military personnel and helicopters at Larung Gar Buddhist Academy. These actions are a blatant violation of religious freedom and an assault on Tibetan cultural heritage. We urge the international community to:

1. Condemn China’s Actions: Governments and human rights organizations must publicly denounce China’s repressive measures.
2. Demand Transparency: Call for unhindered access for international journalists and human rights observers to Tibet.
3. Support Tibetan Resistance: Amplify the voices of Tibetan advocacy groups and support their demands for cultural preservation and autonomy.
4. Sanction Human Rights Violators: Impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities involved in repressing Tibetan religious institutions.

Conclusion

The deployment of troops at Larung Gar is emblematic of China’s broader strategy to subjugate Tibetan identity. By targeting one of Tibet’s most revered religious institutions, the Chinese government aims to diminish Tibetan Buddhism’s influence and weaken the resilience of Tibetan culture. It is imperative that the global community acts decisively to hold China accountable for its violations in Tibet.