Dharamshala — A true fighter of Tibetan independence, Lhasang Tsering passed away on June 11, 2026, in Dharamsala. He was a Tibetan poet and writer, as well as a fervent advocate for Tibetan independence. Tibetans around the world, including freedom fighters, activists, and scholars, mourned this great loss and paid tribute to his struggle for Tibetan independence, both through concrete actions and in writing.
Tibetan freedom fighter Lhasang Tsering passed away on June 11, 2026, in Dharamsala, headquater of Central Tibetan Administration, the exiled Tibetan government and resident of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He was a Tibetan poet, writer and activist, as well as a fervent advocate for Tibetan independence. He served as President of the Tibetan Youth Congress and was the founding director of the Amnye Machen Institute in Dharamsala, he worked as editor of Tibetan Review.
Until his last breath, he called for the return of his homeland, Tibet. Tibetans around the world, including freedom fighters, activists, and scholars, mourned this great loss and paid tribute to his struggle for Tibetan independence, both through concrete actions and in writing.
On June 15, 2026, at 4 a.m., the body of Lhasang Tsering, a Tibetan independence activist, was cremated in Dharamsala. Tibetans in the Dharamsala area mourned this great loss and paid tribute to his fight for a free Tibet and his service to Tibetans in exile.
The Department of Security (DoS) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) recently organised “Tibet Freedom Fighters’ Conclave” on April 27, 2026 and Gen Lhasang la was awarded with "Tibet Medal to Tibetan freedom fighters" for his significant contributions to the Tibetan cause.
Lhasang Tsering was born in Ngari, western Tibet in 1952 and escaped to India with his parents along with two older brothers. In 1962, he was admitted to study at the Central School for Tibetans in Mussoorie. In 1972 he got an opportunity to attend a medical school at the Johns Hopkins University in the United States,but he declined the opportunity and decided to join the Tibetan resistance force based in Mustang, Nepal.
He joined the Tibetan resistance force in 1972. However, the Mustang base camp was closed in 1974 and he had to return to Dharamshala after two years. He worked for a while in the Tibetan Office of Research and Analysis. Theb he joined the Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) in Dharamshala and expanded the elementary school into high school under the guidance of its Director Jetsun Pema. He served as Upper TCV's Principal from 1976 to 1982.
Upon advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lhasang Tsering joined the Information Office of the exile government in March 1983. He developed the Narthang Printing Press and the present Narthang Building housing the Department for Information and International Relations (DIIR), Central Tibetan Adminstration.
Then he was elected President of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) in 1986. During his tenure as TYC Present, When the widely politicised political protests for independence took place in Lhasa at the end of 1988 and again in March 1989. He organised peaceful protests and hunger-strikes in New Delhi and other parts of India.
He also traveled widely all over India as well as to the U.S.A.; Canada; Europe; Thailand and Australia. In 1980 he also traveled inside Tibet for some three months. He lived in Japan for a year between 1978-79. In 1979 and 1980, he visited Tibet and witnessed firsthand the realities faced by Tibetans under Chinese oppressive rule. The experience deeply affected him and strengthened his resolve to devote his life to the Tibetan cause.
On June 15, 1988 Lhasang became the first Tibetan to oppose the Middle-Way Policy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama not to continue the struggle for independence but to seek only “Genuine Autonomy for Tibet within the Peoples’ Republic of China” through peaceful negotiations. In 1989 Lhasang was re-elected President of the Tibetan Youth Congress, but because of difficulties arising from his opposition to the "Middle-Way Policy", he resigned at the end of 1990.
In 1992, along with Tashi Tsering; Pema Bhum and Jamyang Norbu; Lhasang Tsering became one of the founders of the Amnye Machen Institute (Tibetan Centre for Advanced Studies) to promote an international and secular culture within traditional Tibetan society. From 1992 till 1999 he put aside his personal affairs and rendered full-time voluntary service at the Amnye Machen Institute. During those years; he helped with fund-raising; general administration; translation and editing. He resigned in 1999.
He started the first bookstore in McLeod Ganj, named <<Bookworm>>. He also wrote books, articles and poems. His first book published was <Tomorrow and Other Poem>, in 2003. He published his second book named <Occean of Melody>, – a translation of the Songs of the Sixth Dalai Lama in 2009. He publishe his third book called <Hold On> in 2012. His famous peoms including "I Don’t Want Tibet to Die","Country, Nation, Freedom", "Tibet Needs You", "Longings", "Waiting" and "The Gifts of Freedom".
I Don’t Want Tibet to Die by Lhasang Tsering
I don’t want Tibet to die,
I don’t want Tibet to disappear,
I don’t want Tibet to be destroyed-
No; I don’t want Tibet to die.
I don’t want Tibet to be filled with Chinese,
I don’t want my children to be called Chinese,
I don’t want my children to become Chinese-
No; I don’t want Tibet to die.
Many Tibetan people including freedom fighters, activists, and scholars,and Tibetan organisations mourned this great loss by holding prayer services and paid tribute to his fearless fighting a free Tibet. Dhokham Chushigangdruk Canada wrote," It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that Canada Dokham Chushi Gangdruk joins Tibetans around the world in mourning the passing of Lhasang Tsering—a patriot, freedom fighter, writer, poet, and one of the most fearless and unwavering voices for Tibet."
"He spoke with honesty, conviction, and courage, even when doing so was difficult. His words awakened minds, strengthened resolve, and inspired countless Tibetans to continue the struggle for freedom and justice," the NGO said.
"As members of Dokham Chushi Gangdruk, we hold a special appreciation for his lifelong respect and support for the Tibetan resistance movement. He deeply understood the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who stood in defense of Tibet and worked tirelessly to ensure that their stories and contributions would never be forgotten. May we honor his memory not only through our words, but through our continued commitment to the cause he cherished throughout his life. His legacy will remain a source of inspiration for generations of Tibetans, and his unwavering dedication to Tibet will never be forgotten," the organisation concluded.
Tibetan Children's Village wrote, "With profound sorrow and deep respect, the Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) community mourns the passing of Lhasang Tsering, a former TCV student, educator, leader, patriot, writer, activist, and one of the most dedicated voices of the Tibetan freedom movement. He passed away on 11 June 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of service, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the Tibetan cause."
