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Tibet seeking autonomy, not separation: Dalai Lama
23 Apr 2008 , 1201 hrs IST , PTI

WASHINGTON : The Dalai Lama has denied the Chinese claim that he supports separation of Tibet , saying he only wanted autonomy to preserve its unique culture and traditions which under Beijing 's rule remains only "on paper".

"The whole world knows we are not seeking separation," the Dalai Lama said, stressing that what is being sought is only genuine and complete autonomy for Tibet as provided for in the Chinese constitution but has remained "on paper" only.
His Holiness The XIVth Dalai Lama of Tibet

His Holiness The XIVth Dalai Lama of Tibet

"We really need an arrangement of full protection of Tibetan language and culture," the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader told a gathering at Colgate University in Hamilton , New York .

He also said that everything in his homeland is now being controlled by the Han Chinese, the majority nationality in the Communist nation.

Meanwhile, protesters outside the Sanford Field House shouted slogans and held placards against the Dalai Lama's stand on the issues of autonomy for Tibet and his ban on the worship of Dorje Shugden, a protective deity in the Tibetan Buddhist faith.

"Chinese students from nearby institutes, including Cornell University , Hamilton College and Syracuse University , asked the Dalai Lama to stop what they called "his attempts to divide China by separating Tibet ," The Observer-Dispatch wrote.

The Chinese students said they assembled at Colgate to dispel myths about China , which they said has been a victim of media distortion on the Tibetan issue.

In another protest, hundreds of Buddhist monks, nuns and followers of Dorje Shugden called for the 72-year-old monk to stop discrimination against the Shugden believers and allow the freedom of worship.