Ngawang Gelek, a monk from Gaden Monastery, actively participated in the 1988 Lhasa demonstrations in support of Tibetan independence. He was arrested by Chinese authorities and detained in Drapchi Prison, where he was subjected to torture. After five months of imprisonment, he was released following the intervention of Panchen Rinpoche.

In 1990, Ngawang Gelek was arrested again for his continued political activities and was labeled a “separatist” by the authorities. After his release, he was forced to undertake hard labour for extremely low wages and remained under close monitoring. Eventually, he fled Tibet and reached exile in Dharamsala, India, where he continued to support and advocate for the Tibetan freedom movement.