9th Sept. 2001, Sunday is the saddest day in exiled Bhutanese movement for Human Rights and Democracy. The day was sunny and hot but the entire Bhutanese refugee community were deeply shock to hear that the founding president of the Bhutan Peoples’ Party (BPP) was chopped and forced to depart from all of us. No Bhutanese could control their tears rolling their eyes after hearing the painful assassination of bold Bhutanese Political leader Lt. Mr. R.K.Budathoki. When all the refugees came to see their leader's final face no people who were not rubbing their eyes. It was felt that the people living in the camps have lost their guardian, their hope, their aspiration, their counselor, their warrior, their son, their friend, and their ever-smiling leader.

The news spread like a wild fire and the refugees and the sympathizers of different background have poured in the hospitals leaving behind their official bonds and ties. There were elderly, young, adult, youths, leaders etc, with a pain in their hearts and tears in their eyes. No one was speaking but every one was crushing his or her fate on the loss of a leader who have never ever compromise with Bhutanese peoples aspiration at a very difficult situation. A leader that inspired the people with hope and positive attitude to struggle for their right. He was a man who never look back for his benefit only. A personality that was popular in and outside the country.

Late Budathoki was born on 26th June 1957 under Bara block Samchi district in Bhutan in a farming family from father Tek Bdr. Budathoki and mother Lt. Hari Maya. He lost his mother at his early age and led his miserable life, where it was difficult for his family to joint their hands to mouth. He completed his senior secondary education and joint in Govt. Service in 1975 which gave assistance to his family. He served to the Govt. for 13 years from different position.

He was forced to lead his exiled life from 15th November 1989 and soon he lobbied his friends and decided to established a political party. On 2nd June 1990 Bhutan Peoples' Party (BPP) was establish in exile with the support of Bhutanese people for the establishment of Human Rights and Democracy in Bhutan. In which Lt. Mr. Budathoki was elected as a founding president of party. Under his dynamic leadership party was able to establish link with different groups of people like students, youths, political parties and individuals to gainer support and solidarity. He was elected three times as party president.

In any circumstances he never gave up his words that he promised. He had a capacity to understand the sentiment and problems of the people easily. He struggled to form single platform to accelerate the Bhutanese Movement till his last breath. He never took care of his family and spend most of his life for the welfare of the suppressed Bhutanese people. In the mean time while he was addressing the Bhutanese students at Youth Organization of Bhutan (YOB) office Damak, a sister organization of BPP regarding the verification and repartition. One of the immature teenager students chopped him on his back neck with a knife (Khukuri) and killed Lt. R.K.Budathoki during the broad daylight and escaped from there.

A year passed by, the Bhutanese people are like a fish in desert with out water and the Bhutanese movement is in the same place were Late R.K.Budathoki left. PFHRB pray for his soul to rest in peace and bless all the Bhutanese with the vision, strength and wisdom to make our dream come true. We all remember Late Budathoki and pay our homage lighting the candles and keep him in our prayers. With your blessings (our late guardian and leader), we shall overcome all hurdles of lives to make our dream come true.

Bless us to live, to struggle, to overcome and to achieve a "long walk to freedom"



Thanks,

D.P.Kafley,

General Secretary, PFHRB.


.Peoples Forum for Human Rights, Bhutan (PFHRB)
Office in Exile:- Anarmani-4, Birtamod, Jhapa Nepal. Tele : 00977-23-40824.
PFHRB is a pioneer H/R Organization formed under the Chairmanship of Mr. Tek Nath Rizal.
It campaigns for an early Solution of about ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND Bhutanese who have evicted forcefully by he Bhutanese authorities.