Tue Jul 22 18:23:19 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text, focusing on the Indian perspective and drawing potential inferences:
**Summary:**
Chinese authorities have removed Qizhala, a former governor of Tibet, from office due to alleged corruption, misuse of public funds, engagement in “superstitious activities,” and family members using his position for personal gain. This comes shortly after another high-ranking official in Tibet received a suspended death sentence for bribery. This is happening under President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign, which critics argue can be used to purge rivals. The situation raises concerns about religious freedom and cultural assimilation in Tibet, as noted by UN experts.
**News Article:**
**China Ousts Former Tibetan Leader Amid Graft Allegations, Raising Rights Concerns**
**Beijing, July 22, 2025 (The Hindu) –** Chinese authorities have purged another high-ranking official with ties to Tibet, fueling concerns over Beijing’s policies in the region. Qizhala, who served as governor of Tibet from 2017 to 2021, was removed from office today over accusations of corruption, misuse of funds, and engaging in “superstitious activities,” a common euphemism that can encompass religious practices.
The move, announced by China’s top anti-corruption bodies, follows last week’s suspended death sentence for Wu Yingjie, the former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Tibet, on bribery charges.
Analysts in India view these developments with concern. “These actions, coupled with the emphasis on ‘superstitious activities,’ suggest a continued crackdown on Tibetan culture and religious practices,” said Dr. Anika Sharma, a Tibetologist at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi. “India, with its own significant Tibetan population and long-standing cultural ties, has a vested interest in monitoring the situation closely.”
Qizhala’s dismissal also raises questions about the stability of the political landscape within Tibet. The accusations of collusion with business owners and family members exploiting his position echo concerns of systemic corruption within the Chinese government, a problem President Xi Jinping has vowed to combat. However, critics view the anti-corruption campaign as a tool to eliminate political rivals.
The timing of the purge, following the UN’s expression of alarm over cultural and linguistic assimilation policies in Tibet, is particularly significant. Observers are watching closely to see how these developments will impact the already strained relationship between China and the international community, and whether India will take a more vocal stance on the human rights situation in Tibet. The events will undoubtedly raise concerns on the Indian side of the border, where the spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to in 1959.
First Piper 