Unbecoming Citizens: Culture, Nationhood, and the Flight of Refugees from Bhutan (Oxford India Collection

by Michael James Hutt

During the early 1990s, about 95,000 people arrived in eastern Nepal. They claimed to have come from Bhutan, and they alleged that they had been forced out of their homelands by the Bhutanese government. Very few believed them, and even now, not a single one of these refugees has returned to
Bhutan. This book explains who these people are and why they left Bhutan. It also examines the broader implications of their story for a world awash with refugees.

308 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1903

Reviews

[Michal Thoma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important book for anyone interested about Bhutan and it's modern history. The book is most balanced summarization of the fact regarding the Lhotshampa's exodus from the Bhutan available. Personal stories of the refugees gives that extra touch. Very well written as well.

[Sonam Zangpo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and one unbiased read on the refugee issue, which stands un-resolved even today.

[Maya Ghalley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow book

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps THE best book on the Bhutanese ethnic cleansing of the 1990's.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dry at times, however, it contained a lot of necessary information about Bhutanese history and what led to the current situation with the refugees. I wish there had been more chapters like "Dil Maya," which was fascinating. It's generally the ordinary people who fascinate me. Anyway, I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this.

[AskHistorians]

This is the definitive, most detailed work analyzing the causes, conditions, and happenings of the Nepali crisis in the '90s, starting with their first migration to the Himalayan low-lands in the 19th Century to their refugee status today.