Continuity of our Language & Literature

Nepali Bhasa was one of the important communication languages of southern Bhutan until the mid-1970s. In fact there was time when the school students sang national anthem in the Nepali language. The official correspondences were all in the Nepali language except for ministerial kasho from Tashichodzong.

The government of Bhutan emphasized the need to develop Dzongkha as the official language of Bhutan. The southern population also supported this initiative since they had realized the long-term importance of unique identity for Bhutan. It was expected that the government would permit continue teaching of Nepali language in schools, and the local correspondences in southern districts would continue to be in Nepali language.

To their surprise the government of Bhutan banned teaching of the Nepali language in Bhutan from 1988 onward under the pretext that it was putting stress on the students to learn three languages: English, Nepali and Dzongkha. This created hue and cry in southern Bhutan and it is one of the reasons behind the peaceful protest movement of 1990.

After more than two decades, the government has relaxed some of the stringent policies towards the Nepali population but there is no permission yet to teach Nepali language in schools. Nepali language is the symbol of cultural integrity of the Lhotsampa population in Bhutan and its vibrancy reverberates all along the Himalayan region. Though the voice is presently suppressed inside the country the demand for reinstatement of teaching the Nepali language is bound to bounce back again.

It is heartening to note that the exiled community is working hard to keep alive the issue of Nepali language in Bhutan. At one time Nepali Bhasa Parishad was very active in the camps, bringing out Nepali literature and designing school curriculum. Now the promotion of Bhutani Nepali language and literature is being undertaken from the overseas countries with the active participation of hundreds of youths.

I am pleased to learn about the work done by www.bhutaneseliterature.com and I wish the team all success in their endeavor. The benefit of such an endeavor would be enormous for the spread out Bhutanese Diaspora and those Lhotsampas inside the country.

Dr. Dhakal is a Senior Fellow at Duke Center for International Development, Sanford School of Public Policy (Duke University)