The Lhotshampas are an ethnic Nepalese people that settled in areas of Bhutan over the last century and a half. They have played an important role in the administration and economy of the country. However from the 1950s onwards, the Royal Government of Bhutan fearing the breakup or takeover of the country took steps to homogenise the nation and required minorities to culturally assimilate with the majority Drukpa Buddhist community and its Driglam Namzha (code of behaviour, dress and values). New laws were enacted making it more difficult to acquire Bhutanese nationality and many Lhotshampas were expelled as illegal aliens and resettled in various western countries by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Yet they have had trouble integrating in their new homes and wish to return to their Bhutanese land oforigin. The intolerance ofdiversity shown by the government of the mountain kingdom mars its fabled image as the Land of Happiness.
