Kullu: American actor and long-time Tibet supporter Richard Gere has accused China of pursuing a policy of “ethnic erasure” aimed at destroying Tibetan culture, saying its actions threaten the distinct identities of several ethnic communities.Speaking after meeting Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in McLeodganj, Dharamshala, on Oct 31, Gere criticised Beijing’s ethnic unity policies.“It’s not ethnic unity, it’s ethnic erasure. It’s destroying the other ethnic communities,” Gere said, alleging that the Chinese govt was attempting to erase Tibetan, Mongolian, and Uyghur cultures—communities he said were historically recognised as having the right to preserve their distinct identities.Referring to China’s 1954 constitution, Gere noted that “even chairman Mao had acknowledged the right of ethnic and cultural communities to maintain their identities”.“This was clear from the beginning of the Chinese Communist Revolution. What they’re trying to do now is completely erase and destroy Tibetan culture, Mongolian culture, Uyghur culture,” he said.Addressing Tibetans living inside Tibet, Gere added, “We love you. We know you’re there. We are never going to forget you. We will be there doing everything we can for as long as we possibly can.” He reaffirmed his personal commitment to the cause, stating that supporting Tibetans had become his life’s work.During the meeting, the Dalai Lama presented the Hollywood actor with a traditional Kinnauri hat as a gesture of affection and friendship.Gere, who serves as chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet, earlier visited Dharamshala in March to attend a conference of Tibet Support Groups. In a video message played at the event in McLeodganj, he characterised the Tibetan movement as a “long game” requiring sustained commitment.“We are playing a long game here and the long game is that everyone is liberated,” he had said, describing the Tibetan movement as political, social and cultural, but also universal in its significance. “It’s a long game and it’s the right game,” Gere had said.
