Banned in China, event to focus on persecution against practitioners in Beijing

Falun Gong, the ancient Chinese holistic system that is banned in China, will be celebrated in India on July 15 with a parade and Human Word Formation in the capital. Organisers of the event, Falun Dafa Association of India, which has been teaching Falun Gong in India, said the event would highlight the persecution against the practitioners in China.

Apart from the parade of July 15, the group will hold events and public interactions at Gandhi Smriti, Rajghat on July 14 and 15.

“On this occasion over 200 practitioners of Falun Dafa from India and other countries will participate in a Peace Parade and Human Word Formation at Connaught Place to spread the message of Truth, Compassion and Tolerance which are the basic principles of Falun Dafa,” said a release from the Falun Dafa Association of India.

The organisation also claimed that despite years of “brutal torture” in China, Falun Dafa practitioners are not surrendering to Beijing’s strict rules. “This peaceful activity aims to create awareness of the severe persecution being suffered by Falun Dafa practitioners in China for over several years. We hope more and more people will take a stand to end this crime against humanity,” said the release.

Creating awareness

Falun Dafa Association of India has been campaigning for months to familiarise the challenges that the followers of this group are facing in China. Earlier this year, the group brought noted human rights lawyer David Mata from Canada to India in a bid to raise awareness among Indians about the challenges posed by China against the group.

The associationclaimed that the government in Beijing has been trying to “eradicate” the group as it is “extremely popular”.