Stop Botay Bashing!

by nawang on Monday, July 26th 2010, 4:05 PM

Namaste dai/Bhai/didi/bahini ,
I decided to share this with you because Tibetans not only we share facial features with us; they share traditions, religion and values with us. You must have noticed in the western countries, you see Nepalese and Tibetans living side by side in the same neighborhood. I think it is sad how these people are treated. These are our own people. Nepal basically composed of three groups, (1) Khas (2) Madhesi (3) Indigenous, and indigenous groups’ ancestors basically migrated to Nepal from Tibet whether we like it or not. That is why our ancestors were called “botays” by Khas people(Bahun/Chettri).

www.ekantipur.com

It is saddening if you read the above news on how these two Nepalese women are treated because they are married to two Tibetan men, ALSO on the top, both of these Tibetan men are born and raised in Nepal like most Nepali-Tibetans. These two Nepali women’s citizenships were revoked because they married Tibetan men and the officials refused to grant citizenship to their children and spouses. According to 2006 amended Nepali constitution,
(1) Anyone who is married to Nepali citizen regardless of husband or wife, the spouse is entitled to Nepali citizenship by marriage.
(2) OR if one was born before April 13, 1990 in Nepal, the person/s is Nepali citizen by birth.

According to U.N report, Millions of Madhesi were able to secure and exercise this right after 2006. But Tibetans are not able, and officials have gone out of their way to cause difficulties for these people.

ocha.unog.ch


Can anyone help those two Tibetan-Nepali families in Pokhara, and have those Tibetans exercise their newly found citizenship right under 2006 amended constitution?

I have read the 2006 amended constitution. No where in the constitution it states, ONLY Tarai Madhesi can exercise the amended constitution or it says NO Botays are allowed to exercise the constitution right. Below is the copy of 2006 amended Nepali constitution.
www.britishcitizen.info

I have no doubt you know, most Tibetans you and I come across in Nepal are Nepali born. Unless, the constitution explicitly says somewhere that you and I didn't see, saying “ ONLY Tibetans” are excluded from the new right. Based on the constitution those two Nepali-Tibetans family should be able to exercise the right too and secure citizen for their entire family members. . I think this is a great cause/issue to push forward if anyone willing to help. I have no doubt these Tibetan families will be grateful to you.

Sincerely,

Nawang Gurung