Yeshi Topden, a 24-year-old monk from Meldro Gongkar, joined Gaden Monastery in 1986. On 5 March 1988, he intended to participate in a demonstration during the Lhasa Monlam Chenmo but was arrested before the protest began. He was detained at Gutsa Prison for five months. Following his release, he was sent back to the monastery.

He again participated in protests on 5, 6, and 7 March 1989, after which he was detained for two months. In 1990, officials from the Government Work Department raided Gaden Monastery and began enforcing restrictive political policies. As a result, 40 monks were expelled and permanently barred from re-entering the monastery. Many monks, including Yeshi Topden, were placed under surveillance and subjected to sudden restrictions, including prohibitions on leading gatherings of more than ten people, leaving town for more than one week, and entering temples or monasteries.

These measures compelled him to leave Tibet in July 1990, and he arrived in Dharamsala, India, in October 1990.