No place for Indians in Bhutan?

The Buddhist nation has directed people of Indian origin working in the country to leave by Tuesday. BJP has lodged a protest

The ministry of labour and human resources of the Royal government of Bhutan has directed people of Indian origin working in the country to get out by Tuesday, November 29, 2011. Raising its concern over the issue, the convenor of overseas affairs Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vijay Jolly, has sent a letter to monarch and head of state of Bhutan, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.


King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

'Home away from home'
"About 3,000 businessmen, workers and their dependents - all of Indian origin - working in Bhutan and contributing towards its growth and development for over 40-50 years, have been directed to get out of the Buddhist nation by Tuesday, November 29, 2011. Bhutan has always been a home away from home. Indians have lived and worked hard and productively in Bhutan. This category of people would never be an impediment to the indigenous Bhutanese workforce," Jolly wrote in his letter.

Although it is a verbal order, but the signatures of the said affected people have been taken by the authorities. Most of these people are small-time businessmen/traders and workers. They have nowhere else to go and nothing to fall back upon as they have already spent the prime of their lives in Bhutan working for the country. "They have never been a threat to the integrity, unity, independence, sovereignty, socio-economic and cultural growth of Bhutan," Jolly said.

Fresh chapter!
However, Jolly said that in view of Bhutan's economic and employment interests, BJP will understand if Bhutan doesn't recruit fresh workforce from outside the country.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
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Serious issue
On behalf of BJP, Jolly demanded 'The People of Indian Origin' in Bhutan be treated with honour and respect. BJP has requested the king to intervene in the matter urgently and rescinded the order.