Bhutan’s king out to deceive democratic world

Tak Nath Rizal, a former member of Bhutan’s parliament and a refugee living in Nepal is not far from truth when he says that the Bhutan king’s unilateral announcement to end the one-century old royal rule and retain only constitutional monarchy in 2008 is a mere ploy to hoodwink the international community. Bhutan’s king Jigme Singye Wangchuk is credited with having so many tricks up in his sleeve. Bhutan is a hilly country, sandwitched between mighty neighbours China and India. Its foreign relations are managed by India. About a decade ago, Bhutan’s king threw about hundred thousand citizens of Nepali origin out of the country. Their land records were destroyed. The school records of their wards were burnt. Besides, they were corerced to sign on dotted lines saying that they were voluntarily leaving the country. Since then these refugees are living in the tented accomodation in several areas of Nepal in wretched condition. Even then, the world’s opinion favours the king.