Need is shift in base of operation
The centre of debates for the Bhutanese in exile at this time is the impact of third country resettlement on fight for democracy, human rights and repatriation. As the process gets more closure, almost confirmed that the first batch of the Bhutanese in exile will leave to US or Australia by end of January, the heartbeat for the leaders becomes faster.
This was largely because of their shortcomings in garnering support from the Indian establishment, including the political forces in opposition, in their fight for democracy in Bhutan. The political turmoil that spoiled the strength of Nepal today has further fueled them of maintaining the ground for movement.
The resettlement will take a new turn to the democratic struggle in Bhutan where the regime has it will make its claws flexible with new constitution and the political parties taking over the task of governance. The new strategies for the politicians and the rights activists from now on will be prepare ground in India for future struggle if the regime did not respond swiftly.
The response from the Indian leaders have been positive, and it the leaders in exile ably tap this opportunity to garner support from the Indian political groups, despite that Bhutanese in exile shifted their place of refuge, the struggle for freedom will live in Bhutan.
The lingering of the refugees in camp in no means will benefit the leaders not will provide in flavor to the fight. In stead, the third country resettlement will help strengthen the fight with the expansion of the Bhutanese Diaspora and increasingly becoming financially sound.
In our neighborhood, we have seen how the Diaspora figured itself in social and political transformation of the country. Bhutan cannot remain out of this circumstance largely because of its closeness with India and the NRIs influences in national politics. The parties and the politicians, precisely the communist groups, must have looked at the near future, of consequences that resettlement would bring in their career.
The resettling countries have said it takes at least five years to finish the process. For a tactful and effortful political activist, it is just a big length of time to make alternate arrangement of base for struggle.
It is the time that politicians take a lead in volunteer repatriation, without fearing of execution and jail term. Had the march launched in May continued, the environment would have changed drastically. Having failed to assess the result and reaching the people to reinforce repatriation, the leaders have lost an opportunity to take the struggle to height.
As the people move to west, looking for a good future, the leaders must take lead for east ward move, basically making India as the base of operation. This will not only put pressure on Indian government, garner public support but will also presses India to take responsibility over the issue. Their move to India will add encouragement to Bhutanese hiding in that country for the last 18 years. Consequently, making another platform of operation.
The good strategy for the politicians is the receive refugee status in Indian with lobbying in UNHCR of which India is an ExCom member.
The humble job for them at this time would be to stop the gargle and chattering about resettlement and diverting their concentration towards Bhutan. Plan for you, when will you reach there, fear-not of torture and sentences and set a target to finish this job before it is too late. The days are nearing to end to make Nepal as your base of operation.