Takna Jigme Sangpo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Takna Jigme Sangpo
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| Born | 1926 Tibet
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| Died | 17 October 2020 (aged 94) |
| Occupation | Teacher |
Takna Jigme Sangpo (born 1926 – died 17 October 2020) was a brave man from Tibet. He spent 37 years in prison near Lhasa, which made him the person who was held as a political prisoner for the longest time in Tibet. A political prisoner is someone put in jail because of their beliefs or actions against the government, not for a regular crime.
Contents
A Life of Courage
Early Imprisonment
Takna Jigme Sangpo became a teacher in 1952. He was first put in prison in 1965. He was accused of teaching "wrong ideas" to children. For this, he was sentenced to three years of "re-education through labour." This meant he had to work while learning new ways of thinking.
In 1970, he received another sentence. This time, it was for ten years. This was because he was involved in "political activities." He was held in a place called Drapchi Prison.
Speaking Out for Freedom
In 1983, Takna Jigme Sangpo continued to speak out. On July 12, 1983, he put up a poster he wrote himself. He placed it at the gates of the Jokhang temple in Lhasa. For this, he was given a 15-year prison sentence. He also lost his right to vote and take part in politics for five years.
Later, on December 1, 1988, he shouted "reactionary slogans" in Drapchi Prison. This meant he was saying things the government did not like. Because of this, five more years were added to his sentence.
Continued Protests
Takna Jigme Sangpo never stopped fighting for what he believed in. On December 6, 1991, he shouted "Free Tibet!" during a visit to Drapchi prison. A Swiss ambassador was there at the time. For this, he was reportedly beaten. He was also held alone in a small room, known as solitary confinement, for six weeks. His prison time was extended by another eight years.
Even after many years, he kept protesting. From May 1 to May 4, 1998, he was involved in more protests at Drapchi prison. After these events, he was again held in solitary confinement.
Release and Later Life
Despite his age and long time in prison, Takna Jigme Sangpo kept encouraging other Tibetans. He wanted them to continue their fight for freedom. In April 2002, a report called him "one of the most determined political prisoners" in Drapchi. He was highly respected by others in prison.
Finally, Takna Jigme Sangpo was released from prison on March 31, 2002. He was 76 years old. He was allowed to leave prison for health reasons. On July 13, 2002, he was allowed to travel to Washington, D.C. In August 2002, he found a new home in Switzerland as a political refugee.
He was even invited to speak at the United Nations Council on June 6, 2008. Takna Jigme Sangpo's story is listed in a special database for political prisoners. A group of former political prisoners, the Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet, wrote a book about his life on January 24, 2014.
