The Christian community in the country has been demanding secure cemeteries in every district. However, their demands have not changed the attitude of the Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley’s government towards the Christian community.
The Bhutanese quoted the Director General of Department of Culture, Dorjee Tshering, saying that Christians cannot have proper graveyards, as they are not registered legally as a religion even though they may be Bhutanese citizens.
The actual number of Christians in the country has not yet been counted officially.
The authority, which has allowed official registration of groups formed by Buddhist and Hindu communities only, has been standing firm against the Christians, added the report.
According to the paper, three years ago, an elderly woman, a Christian convert, was buried right in front of her house in Gelephu triggering a backlash from the community. Very soon a directive was issued saying that such burials should not happen.
Meanwhile, the leaders of Christian community have accused the government of being biased in not granting registration to their faith group.
The Religious Organization Commission Act of 2007 explicitly mentions that only Buddhism and Hinduism is registered or can be registered as official religions. It also clearly mentions that even if any other religion submits a draft or an original document it cannot be registered.
