Lhasa: A wave of protests has erupted in Tibet following the ban of the Tibetan language on Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok. This decision by the popular social media platform has been met with widespread outrage, as many view it as part of a broader strategy by Beijing to replace Tibetan with Mandarin, further eroding the region's cultural identity.

Tibetan netizens, including prominent social media users like Youga Ga, have accused the Chinese government of orchestrating the ban. “What is the rationale behind Douyin banning our language? Aren’t all ethnicities supposed to be equal? Why, then, is the use of our Tibetan language being restricted?” Youga Ga questioned, echoing the sentiments of many Tibetans who are dismayed by the decision.

The ban has sparked concerns about digital freedoms and cultural autonomy, especially as almost all major global social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, are already banned in China. With local Chinese apps like Bilibili, Kuaishou, and Talkmate also restricting the use of Tibetan, the options for Tibetan users are becoming increasingly limited.

The ban is expected to have severe repercussions for the Tibetan population, particularly the elderly and those who are illiterate in Mandarin. A Tibetan doctor highlighted the challenges he now faces in communicating with his patients. “With the prohibition on using the Tibetan language, I am forced to use Chinese. My patients, especially the elderly and illiterate youth, struggle to understand me when I speak in Chinese. As a result, I have stopped my online broadcasts,” he said.

Tenzin Dawa, director of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, expressed concern over the impact on livelihoods. “The recent ban prevents a lot of Tibetan netizens from continuing their work on these platforms. Many used Douyin to create content, share their lifestyles, or run businesses, and now their ability to earn a living is severely compromised,” she explained.

A young Tibetan woman also voiced her fears about the future. “We didn't go to Chinese universities, and we can't speak standard Mandarin. Live broadcasting was a way for us to earn a living. How will we be able to survive if we can't use our language online?” she asked.

While there is growing frustration over the ban, challenging the decision poses significant risks. Tenzin Lhadon, a research fellow at the Tibet Policy Institute, warned that openly criticizing Douyin or the Chinese government could lead to harassment, detention, or imprisonment. Despite these dangers, some Tibetans have approached the government for legal action against Douyin, arguing that the ban infringes on their constitutional rights.

Efforts to collectively sue the company are also underway, as Tibetans seek to defend their right to use their native language. However, appeals to the Beijing government citing constitutional protections for minority cultures have so far been ignored. “The authorities have been turning a deaf ear to the appeals being made by the Tibetan online presenters,” reported the Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet.

The ban on the Tibetan language is seen as part of a broader effort by Beijing to assimilate ethnic minority groups into the Han Chinese population. Tibet has long been subjected to policies aimed at repressing its culture and identity. While the Chinese government claims it does not obstruct the promotion of non-Chinese languages, regulations such as the Code of Conduct for Online Presenters mandate that “online presenters shall use the nation’s common spoken and written language,” which is Mandarin.

As Tibetans continue to protest the language ban, the issue has sparked a broader conversation about the preservation of cultural identity in the face of increasing pressure from the Chinese government. The situation remains tense, with many in Tibet and beyond closely watching how the conflict will unfold.