Kathmandu, March 20, 2009: Bhutanese recently resettled in US, joined by those already sought asylum, organized a protest program in front of the Asian Arts Museum in San Francisco where Bhutan showcases the exhibition entitled ‘The Gift from Dragon: Sacred Arts of Bhutan’.
The visitors to the exhibition, which schedules to run till May 10, were surprised to see the other side of the Bhutan’s face, against what has been portrayed to this day. They were surprise to note the reality behind the “cultural curtain” of Bhutan.
One of the members of the organizing team Dick Chhetri said the protest was by no means a protest against the magnificent arts of Bhutan but was to make aware the international community that it was wrong in the part of Bhutanese government to use the sacred arts and culture as a political tool to cover its hidden agenda of secret and systematic ethnic persecution that amounts to a ethnic cleansing of a dangerous type because, the highly projected mysteries of arts and culture camouflages, hides and distracts peoples’ attention from the real issue of human rights being trampled in everyday lives of Bhutanese refugees and Lhotsampas in Bhutan.
At least 20 Bhutanese from SF Bay Area participated in the peaceful demonstration with signs and placards and distributed literature to create awareness on ethnic and cultural suppression continuing in Bhutan.
“The response from the visitors was very encouraging; especially they were surprised that such a thing of ethnic cleansing exists in the land of Gross National Happiness. If we continued such simple, honest and straightforward protests, without politicizing it, in a united manner, it is certain the day will come when the good citizens of the world will seek to know whose happiness is Gross National Happiness in Bhutan, and uncover the hidden agenda of the Bhutanese government against the Southern Bhutanese”, reads a statement issued by Chhetri.
It further says, “Our message was clear that we are the victims of injustice, propaganda and political manipulations very well designed the Royal government under the guise of “One Nation, One People” policy, and completely overshadowed by the highly orchestrated international campaign leaving us helpless. However, Truth is on our side, and there are people who are willing to listen to the voice of the voiceless and may provide help to the helpless if we continued our international campaign.”
Congratulation, Bhutanese Refugee friends in San Francisco. Keep it up. We the Bhutanese refugees are in the battle of conscience,intellect and morality.We shall fight the united battle from all over the glove, regardless of where we are. A day will surely come when the truth shall be established and the voiceless people of Bhutan shall receive justice in the history. We shall not give it up at any cost since we are very clear that there has been great injustice to us.
Bhutan with its changed political sceniorio and new perceptions should accept the fact and adopt measures for immediate national reconcialiation.
Having seen many good comments and some serious critiques, I am registering to clarify the issue of PEACEFUL Protest. Hope you will continue to read it.
DC
1. This protest was first of its kind in the sense that it was done in frot of an Arts Museum. It deserved to be done so, for the RGOB has been erasing our history, language, arts and culture while promoting its own to cover up the hidden agenda of ethnic cleansing. Understand this though: that it was by no means a protest against the magnificeient arts of Bhutan with which we grew up, and we respect and admire it. But it has its own sacred place. And it should not be used to hide the injustice being done to the Southern Bhutanese.
2. Someone critisized the organizer that it planned to derail the repatriation, because he never saw refugee camps. I can only tell him to look at this act of courage and humility with greater of intensity of light and see bigger picture, rather than degenerating to accuse fellow Bhutanese to derailing the repatriation process. He should read Dick article, “Beyond the Sky and the Earth”
Dick
Well done Dick and others in S F . We appreciate what you guys have done, I know it takes time and energy to organise such protests. I am sure you guys are encouraged by many good comments here, forget about the whiners, like a saying goes in Nepali” Kak karaudai garchha pina sukdai garchha”, basically these whiners are the losers. You guys are on the right track, keep up the good work Bhotangeys !!! Congratulations !!!
Hello Bhutanese in California,
It is good to know that you are united once again to do the right thing for we the victims of injustice. I applaud the courage of the organizers to stand for the right thing. Thank you for making clear in step by step manner the past and the present atrocities of RGOB against us, and hiding the gross abuses by the culture and tradition. There should be more people like you or support you. If you complain, go to your closet and commite your suicide.
Prem