The Druk National Congress (Democratic) led by Thinley Penjore has called for the attention of the current development of the refugee situation, which has not received any assurance from any corner of the well-wishing agencies to resolve the prolonged refugee stalemate through rightful repatriation.
In his opening address during a function to mark the party’s 17th foundation day, Thinley also urged every democracy and justice aspiring citizens of Bhutan to understand that there is no alternative other than to ushering in vibrant and inclusive democracy, which can create a conducive atmosphere for the repatriation of the refugees with equality, freedom and justice.
Penjore recalled the seventeen years of the party’s journey in the struggle for democracy in Bhutan. He focused particularly on the sacrifices the party members, the supporters and their mass grass roots activists made during the 1997 peaceful movement staged on the streets of the eastern districts.
He expressed his regrets for being unable to get the political prisoners released even after the dawn of so-called democracy and urged to firmly stand to continue the Bhutanese struggle to establish an inclusive, vibrant and workable democracy.
The Party also released its vision-2011 in Dzongkha and English, and declared launching the same in the Party’s website. Briefing the gathering on the occasion of the Foundation Day, and releasing the book, decided submitting a copy each of the English version to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of India and the Indian Ambassador in Bhutan for their perusal and consideration to garner their support and solidarity, as the largest democracy of the world, to help establish real and inclusive democracy in Bhutan.
Thinley also said that India has been not only the closest neighbour and friend of Bhutan since time immemorial, but also the largest and pioneer development partner of Bhutan, who is anticipated to support Bhutanese struggle for democracy.
In his memorandum to the Prime Minister of India, he described Bhutan’s democracy as, “a mere window-dressing process to eyewash the international communities” and further said that, “In absence of true and inclusive democracy, a large number of its citizens of diverse ethnicity and religious background had to flee into exile and continue their quest for true democracy”. The memorandum appealed the government of India to bestow moral support and solidarity, which will go a long way in ushering in true, vibrant and inclusive democracy in Bhutan.
The Chief Advisor Gup Ugen Tshering, Vice President Rinzin Dorji, General Secretary Lop Karjey and Youth President Karma Chojey were among others in the Party, who addressed the gathering during the occasion.
The Druk National Congress then led by Rongthong Kuenley Dorji suffered a vertical split on August 27, 2001 resulting into two factions–one still led by him and the other by Thinley Penjore. Penjore’s faction later renamed the party as Druk National Congress -Democratic (DNC-D) in 2008.
Two DNCs run by RK Dorji and Thinley Penjor, having almost identical objectives and goal, started to sail together but fragmented on their journey for the pursuit of inclusive and vibrant democracy. Both claiming tall and virtually zero output so far failed to penetrate the democratic ideals in the minds of the Bhutanese people.
The success will only surface, if the people inside Bhutan understand the true meaning of democracy and pursue for its establishment.
DNC’s biggest single achievement was the sporadic demonstration in 1996 in the eastern Bhutan. I think if the party wants to be people based, (although it is not an easy task) it should mobilize the people inside Bhutan. The party should be able to constitute a separate department who should deeply engage to steal the minds of the people from the yoke of the king’s rule. This sort of advocacy might bring the rare hopes of establishing true democracy in Bhutan which we are craving for long.
Just one thing to note, I didn’t see the prominent name of long time faithful activist of DNC – D Mr. Narad Adhikari. Was he absent by chance during the anniversary program or was he deliberately sideline.
However late it is, but I like to wish a great success and big achievement for Both DNCs in the days to come.
Thanks
Hello thinley jii
Thingley jii now it is time to hit the target.plz do not blame our neighbours always coz they will do nothings for us.Thingly jii better try to link inside BHUTAN and estabilsh good network.Otherwise our poltices will never hit the target.Now it is time for rovolution inside BHUTAN rather than points other always.
I honestly think it is time for young people to take over the leadership in the political parties. The old men, the current leaders, have demonstrated inability to gain international attention and in twenty years have not created any results.
The future is with the young and they are out there. It’s time that they step forward and show pride in the work of pushing democracy for Bhutan forward.
DB Ji, most people including Thinley and Narad from this party will leave Nepal for resettlement. We were together at IOM twice. Probably, Narad daju is leaving first.
Nareshji thanks for the information.I think we can always advocate our cause from any part of the world, but surely we should be committed by heart and words.
They should come to term and is very likely that they need to come for the settlement.That is the best option given the facts that all the so called leaders are already here except few of them.
Good luck and Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers.
Thanks
Narash, your information about the resettlement process of Thinley and Narad is not bad if it is true though it is too early to believe. For me, I am less concern about the resettlement or local assimilation of the refugees. What is important here is how to make the Bhutanese struggle for democracy a national movement so that the new transition will be beneficial to every Bhutanese. Bhutan government have been saying to the outside world that “the illegal ethnic Nepali immigrants” are trying to create political turmoil in Bhutan. These immigrants are influenced by handful of Nepali settlers in the Himalayan belt, who have seen good political scope and business opportunity in Bhutan and working hand in globe with those immigrants in Bhutan. Otherwise, everyone is happy with the system of governance and benefited by the services rendered by it. This is what we always hear from the government of Bhutan. But do you agree with these allegations? If not, there is a need to come out with proper strategy to counter the claims and work for the common goals.
If Thinley, a non-ethnic Nepali (Lhotshampa) goes for third country, I think it will not be disadvantage for the Bhutanese struggle for justice and freedom. I am quite optimistic. It will be plus point for the movement, because a person of his calibre from non-Lhotshampa community can expose the discriminatory system of the royal government at the international platforms. In fact, more Sarchops and Ngalungs should go to third countries instead of staying in the refugee camps and do lobbying and advocacy to garner international support and solidarity. It would be right response to the royal government, which is trying hard to convince the world outside that the ethnic Nepali community are trying to grab power in Thimphu, which is a big threat for the national security and sovereignty of Bhutan. Therefore, it will be wise in the part of the diverse ethnicity of Bhutan to work collectively to make the Bhutanese movement – a national movement and not merely an ethnic issue, both in the national and international level.
It is also important to understand that for the last two decades every patriotic Bhutanese tried their best from Nepal to materialise their inalienable rights to repatriation. More than fifteen rounds of bilateral negotiations took place between Bhutan and Nepal. But all in vain, no tangible results coming. Nothing happen. Not even a single Bhutanese return to Bhutan. Some of the refugee youths even decided to scarify their life for justice through launching underground movements. But that too failed to muster support and accelerate the movement. Many people have demanded and are still demanding for internationalization of the Bhutanese refugee issue, pressurise the royal government of Bhutan and create conducive atmosphere for repatriation with safety and in dignity. Can anyone expect this to happen by simply staying in the refugee camps in Nepal? The global scenario is changing rapidly. And if the Bhutanese people fail to embrace new scenario, their dream for democracy and repatriation can never be materialised.
Bhutan, a country of Mahayana Buddhism, as state religion, does not even spare the life of innocent ascetic monks. Non-violence is the essence of Buddhism but in Bhutan violence is the essence of Buddhism and its practise. Khenpo Thinely Oezer, a prominent Nyingmapa scholar, was imprisoned for eight years simply for demanding right to practise his religion. Gomchen Karma was killed on the spot where he was participating in a peaceful demonstration demanding for the equal rights to his faith and religion. A large number of political prisoners from Sarchop community are still languishing in the prison for committing the crime of raising their voice for equal rights and religious tolerance. For me, Bhutanese problem is not an ethnic or illegal immigrant. It is the national political problem, which demands for a collective pursuance from all section of Bhutanese society.
So, why not the refugees utilize third country resettlement program as an opportunity to represent their sufferings in different countries? Is the “gross national happiness” truly and really enjoyed by the people of Bhutan? Even Prime Minister Jigme Y Thinley became so disappointed and unhappy person when his bill to provide financial support for the political parties faced out-right rejection from the upper house – national council. He could not sleep for several nights when the supreme court of Bhutan passed a verdict against vehicle import taxation bill. Tobacco smuggling episode nearly landed him to resign from the government. So, where does his principle of “GNH” stands for?
As far as the concept of youths to lead the Bhutanese movement is concerned, I think it is a worthy idea. It is the universal fact that youths are the pillars of the future of any country. So, why not youths lead the Bhutanese movement? However, it is to be noted here that no new history could be created by erasing the facts and events of old histories. If democracy is to ensure people’s supremacy in the national policy making and active participation in the nation building task, then the old or young – all should join together and work for the common goals of every people. If I am not wrong, democracy respects the rights and values of every individual, and never differentiates between old and young. Anyone, young or old, possessing strength and ability, calibre and commitment, dedication and sincerity could lead any movement for success. Examples of octogenarian leader late Girja Prasad Koirala and youth leader Gagan Thapa in the Nepalese politics is worthy for anyone to refer if one is so concern about the age factors in the social services and political acumen.
Monlam, your comment sounds wise and prudent, and of course very relevant to the current situation of the Bhutanese human rights and democracy movement. I fully support your view about the royal regime’s mischievousness being played to prolonged the refugee problem and project its pseudo democracy to hoodwink the international community. Bhutanese problem is national political problem and it needs to be solved politically. The UN high commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres too has come out advocating strongly for a political solution, as an only alternative to avoid conflicts and create conditions to the refugees for their rightful repatriation with safety and in dignity. In his word, “There is never a humanitarian solution for humanitarian problems; the real solution is always political” tells volumes now for anyone to concentrate and consider.
At this juncture, I only hope that we all could forget the past and look forward working together both in and outside the country for the peace, prosperity and happiness of every Bhutanese citizens, whether they are living within the country or compelled to live in different parts of the world. I also believe that whether we are Lhotshampas, Sarchops or Ngalongs, we are, first of all, Bhutanese and for the cause of the Bhutanese we all have to work together. Let bygones be bygones, it is time for all of us to look forward and work for the future.
And for DB Adhikari-ji – thank you very much for your kind concern about me and my presence in the DNC-Democratic. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, I joined in the peaceful movement of the Bhutanese people seeking for equality, freedom and justice, and I hope I would be able to continue in this mission until the goal is achieved. Let’s work together.