The deportation of Bhutanese Nepali people, also known as Lhotshampa, from Bhutan about 30 years ago was primarily rooted in ethnic, cultural, and political tensions. The main reasons were:
1. Bhutanization Policy (Cultural Homogenization):
• The Bhutanese government introduced a policy in the 1980s and 1990s aimed at preserving the cultural identity of the majority Drukpa population, based on their Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
• The government enforced the “One Nation, One People” policy, requiring all citizens to follow Drukpa cultural norms, such as wearing the national dress (gho and kira) and speaking Dzongkha, Bhutan’s official language. This marginalized the Lhotshampa community, who primarily spoke Nepali and followed Hindu traditions.
2. Citizenship Act of 1985:
• The Bhutanese government tightened citizenship laws, requiring proof of residence in Bhutan before 1958 to claim citizenship. Many Lhotshampa were unable to provide the necessary documentation.
• Those who could not meet the criteria were labeled as “illegal immigrants” and faced the threat of expulsion.
3. Ethnic and Demographic Concerns:
• The Bhutanese government feared that the growing Lhotshampa population, concentrated in southern Bhutan, could challenge the dominance of the Drukpa culture and potentially destabilize the nation.
• The government viewed the Lhotshampa community’s distinct identity as a threat to national unity.
4. Political Activism:
• In the late 1980s, the Lhotshampa began to demand greater political rights, cultural recognition, and opposition to the discriminatory policies of Bhutanization.
• The government responded with repression, accusing the Lhotshampa of supporting separatist movements or anti-national activities.
5. Mass Expulsions:
• In the early 1990s, the Bhutanese government conducted mass expulsions, labeling thousands of Lhotshampa as “illegal immigrants.”
• Many were forcibly evicted from their homes, and large numbers fled to refugee camps in Nepal, where they lived for decades under challenging conditions.
6. Impact on Refugees:
• Approximately 100,000 Lhotshampa were displaced, and many ended up in refugee camps in eastern Nepal.
• Over the years, several countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, resettled Bhutanese refugees, though many still face challenges rebuilding their lives.
