The Hague, Netherlands, May 6: The Bhutan Watch, a leading platform promoting open, intellectual discourse on issues critical to the Bhutanese people through publications and discussions that encourage dialogue on important social, political, and cultural topics while fostering space for diverse voices, has released the sixth edition of The Bhutan Journal, dedicating it to the late Dr Govinda Rizal, a renowned scholar, human rights advocate, and former editor of the journal. The release marks the first anniversary of Dr Rizal's untimely death in a road accident on May 5, 2024.
This commemorative edition centers on Dr Rizal's final and most passionate area of research—the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), a massive urban development project in Bhutan. The GMC is being constructed on land historically inhabited by displaced Bhutanese, including Dr. Rizal's own family. The project became the focus of his legal, ethical, political, and historical critiques and was central to his advocacy for the repatriation and rights of exiled Bhutanese citizens.
Dr. Rizal had been scheduled to present his findings on the GMC at the Bhutan Watch Discussion Forum on the very day of his death. His unfinished work highlights concerns that the GMC project could erase the painful history of displacement and undermine the unresolved legal and ethical issues surrounding the land and its people.
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The new edition of The Bhutan Journal brings together voices of exiled Bhutanese scholars who continue Dr Rizal's mission. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the GMC project, exploring its implications from multiple angles, and discusses the challenges faced by Bhutanese intellectuals in engaging with the project due to its royal endorsement. Criticism of such initiatives is often seen as defiance of the monarchy and can lead to serious legal consequences in Bhutan.
Despite these challenges, The Bhutan Journal reaffirms its commitment to fostering open, uncensored intellectual dialogue. This edition reflects Dr. Rizal's vision of a platform where all perspectives supportive or critical can be freely explored. The publication underscores the need to remember the history of displacement and to advocate for justice and recognition for the Bhutanese in exile.
"We dedicate this edition to Dr Rizal's memory and his enduring legacy," said the editor of The Bhutan Journal. "Although Dr Rizal is no longer with us, his voice and vision continue to guide us."
The Bhutan Watch expressed gratitude to editor I.P. Adhikari, Alexia Adhikari (Simpson), and all contributors who helped shape the edition. The full journal is available online at: www.bhutanwatch.org/the-bhutan-journal-6-1.
