Remembering Dorjee Tseten and Dhargye: Tibetan Youths Who Protested for Freedom

Jun Hao May 29, 2026 (Last updated: May 29, 2026) 2 minutes read

According CTA report On 27 May 2012, the Tibetan community witnessed a tragic and unprecedented act of protest in the heart of Lhasa, Tibet’s capital. Dorjee Tseten, a 19-year-old high school graduate from Bora in Amdo province, and his friend Dhargye, a 25-year-old youth from Soruma village, Choejema Township, Ngaba County, set themselves ablaze near the Jokhang Temple at approximately 2:15 pm local time. This courageous, yet heart breaking, act was undertaken to protest against China’s ongoing repression of Tibetans within their homeland.

Dorjee, employed as a chef at a Lhasa restaurant, tragically succumbed to the flames at the scene. Chinese authorities refused to return his body, leaving his family to receive ashes under unexplained and unverified circumstances. His self-immolation marked one of the first incidents of its kind in Tibet’s capital, highlighting both the desperation and determination of Tibetans seeking to draw attention to their plight. Armed security forces quickly arrived, removing the youths from the public eye and leaving no trace of the immediate incident, demonstrating the swift and oppressive response of local authorities.

Dhargye initially survived, suffering severe burns over 60% of his body. He was transferred to a police hospital near Sera Monastery but, despite medical intervention, passed away weeks later on 7 July 2012 as a result of his injuries. Dhargye, the youngest of six children, had joined Kirti Monastery at a young age before later working as a cashier in Lhasa. His life, like Dorjee’s, reflects the deep-seated desire for cultural preservation and freedom among Tibetan youth, who have repeatedly risked their lives to protest systemic oppression.

The self-immolations of Dorjee Tseten and Dhargye remain emblematic of Tibet’s ongoing struggle for human rights and political autonomy. These acts, carried out in the spiritual and political heart of Lhasa, continue to resonate globally as poignant reminders of the sacrifices made by young Tibetans in the face of adversity, and their unwavering commitment to preserving their culture and asserting their voice against repression.