China Arrests Tibetan Monk for Possessing Dalai Lama Photo, Whereabouts Unknown

In a concerning development highlighting China’s ongoing suppression of Tibetan cultural and religious identity, a 29-year-old Buddhist monk named Tenzin Khenrap, also known by his pen name Dhong Rangchak, was arrested last July in a Tibetan-populated area of Sichuan province. His offense? Possessing a photo of the Dalai Lama on his mobile phone, along with other materials deemed subversive by Chinese authorities, according to sources within Tibet who spoke to Radio Free Asia.

Khenrap hails from Nyagchu county in the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. His arrest underscores China’s strict stance on the Dalai Lama and Tibetans living in exile, whom they label as separatists. In China, merely possessing a picture of the spiritual leader or having contact with Tibetans abroad is considered a punishable offense under charges of separatism.

Despite the severity of the charge, Chinese authorities have kept Khenrap’s whereabouts shrouded in secrecy since his arrest. Sources, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, revealed that Khenrap was initially detained in Sichuan province, known as Kham in Tibetan, but his current location remains undisclosed. His social media accounts have been revoked, and authorities have denied access to his immediate family, leaving them in a state of anguish and uncertainty.

Khenrap, known for his fluency in Tibetan and Mandarin, was deeply involved in monitoring developments related to Tibetans’ struggle against Chinese repression. He was active in writing articles online, amplifying the voices of those seeking justice and cultural preservation within Tibet.

The monk’s educational background includes stints at several monasteries in Sichuan province, including Lithang Gonchen, Sershul, and Nalendra. Notably, Nalendra was founded by the revered Tibetan religious teacher and activist Tulku Tenzin Delek, whose mysterious death in 2015 under Chinese custody sparked international outcry.

Tulku Tenzin Delek, widely respected for his efforts in safeguarding Tibetan culture and the environment, faced what rights groups and supporters deemed a wrongful conviction. His case serves as a grim reminder of China’s grip on Tibet, marked by political restrictions and violations of human rights.

Khenrap’s arrest follows a similar incident in February 2023, when Tsultrim, a Tibetan from Tsaruma township in Ngaba’s Kyungchu county, was apprehended for possessing Dalai Lama images on his mobile phone. Tsultrim endured detention until April and was subsequently sentenced to two years in prison, further highlighting China’s systematic crackdown on Tibetan identity.

As concerns mount over Khenrap’s well-being and the broader implications for Tibetan cultural and religious freedoms, the international community faces renewed calls to hold China accountable for its actions in Tibet.