Late Rongthong Kinley Dorjee was born and raised in the Shemgang district of central Bhutan, a region that is home to the indigenous Kheng people, to which he belonged. His early life was profoundly shaped by the teachings of Buddhism, which deeply influenced his worldview.
First person from the northern and eastern regions of Bhutan to form a political party
February 1, 1994 - March 3, 1997
Late Rongthong Kinley Dorjee was born and raised in the Shemgang district of central Bhutan, a region that is home to the indigenous Kheng people, to which he belonged. His early life was profoundly shaped by the teachings of Buddhism, which deeply influenced his worldview. Dorjee’s marriage to Aum Yeshey, a woman of high social standing with influential connections, significantly bolstered his reputation. This alliance brought him into circles of Bhutan's elite business community, and over time, his associations with prominent figures earned him the honorific “Dasho,” a title reserved for individuals of high social standing. After his marriage, Dorjee moved to his wife’s village, Rongthong, in eastern Bhutan, where he settled permanently. Thus, the name “Rongthong” became synonymous with his identity, leading to him being widely recognized as Rongthong Kinley Dorjee.
An accomplished businessman and entrepreneur, Dorjee initially had no political ambitions. However, his life unfolded in ways that led him into the heart of Bhutan’s political struggle. His transformation was neither immediate nor straightforward. The eruption of discontent among the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese—whose rights were stripped away by the government's "One Nation, One People" policy—profoundly affected him. As he witnessed the political persecution and marginalization of minorities, particularly the Tshanglap community, Dorjee felt a deep moral outrage. The treatment of the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese at the hands of the Bhutanese government resonated deeply with him, igniting his commitment to political activism.
As his activism grew, it did not go unnoticed. The Bhutanese government, ever intolerant of dissent, swiftly sought to silence him. Dorjee was arrested and subjected to months of harsh incarceration, enduring inhumane conditions. Eventually released, he was placed under constant surveillance, and his businesses became targets of governmental retaliation. His licenses were revoked, loans were denied, and punitive measures were imposed to cripple his enterprises. Faced with mounting pressure and fearing further political persecution, Dorjee was left with no choice but to flee Bhutan—the country he so dearly loved—and seek refuge in Nepal.
In exile, Dorjee embarked on a path previously uncharted by any Bhutanese. In 1994, he became the first person from the northern and eastern regions of Bhutan to form a political party—the Druk National Congress (DNC). His goal was clear: to establish a multi-party parliamentary democracy under Bhutan’s constitutional monarchy. Dorjee firmly believed that Bhutan’s political landscape needed urgent reform, allowing its citizens greater freedom and a meaningful role in governance. He also highlighted the rampant human rights abuses, and the persecution of civilians carried out by the Bhutanese government.
Dorjee’s involvement was transformative, uniting previously divided forces in the struggle for democracy. He formed alliances with southern Bhutanese leaders and built coalitions with their organizations, which was named United Front for Democracy in Bhutan (UFD). As a member of the Kheng ethnic group, popular in eastern Bhutan, his willingness to align with southern Bhutanese and lend his voice to the movement was crucial. It reframed what the Bhutanese government had framed as a regional or ethnic issue into a national struggle for democracy, giving the movement legitimacy on the international stage.
In 1997, while visiting India, Dorjee was arrested in New Delhi under the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) while representing the United Front of Democracy in Bhutan, a coalition of Bhutanese political parties and human rights organizations in exile, of which he was serving as chairperson. It later came to light that Dago Tshering, the then Home Minister of Bhutan, had arrived in Delhi around the same time with plans to have Dorjee extradited back to Thimphu. However, Dorjee’s extradition was thwarted by the timely intervention of George Fernandes, the then sitting Member of Parliament and later became the Minister of Defense, along with renowned journalist Anand Swaroop Verma and other human rights activists. With their unwavering legal support and solidarity, the Bhutanese government’s attempt to bring Dorjee back was unsuccessful. Instead, Indian authorities detained him in Tihar Jail, citing a lack of proper travel documentation as the official reason. It was, however, widely understood that the Bhutanese government sought Dorjee’s arrest and extradition for political reasons. After a year in detention, Dorjee was released but remained confined to New Delhi under close surveillance under a court order. Despite these constraints, Dorjee remained resolute in his commitment to human rights and the cause of democracy in Bhutan.
In 2011, while visiting Gangtok, Sikkim, to receive blessings from the esteemed Buddhist master, H.H. Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Dorjee peacefully passed away, leaving behind a legacy of devotion. He is survived by his second wife, Aum Tshering, and her two sons, who now reside in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. His elder daughter from his first marriage, Dechen, is married to Sanjeev Pradhan of Sikkim, while his younger daughter lives in Bhutan. Dorjee's younger brother, Pema Wangdi, Dzongda or a District Administrator of Ha District. passed away much before him.
Despite the hardships, sacrifices, and challenges that marked his life in exile, Dorjee remained unwavering in his commitment to human rights, justice, and democracy. From humble beginnings, he rose to become one of the most prominent figures in Bhutan’s political movement. His legacy is closely intertwined with Bhutan's historic transition to a constitutional monarchy in 2008. Dorjee's work continues to inspire countless Bhutanese youths, who were deeply moved by his vision and dedication. Though exile was difficult, it transformed him into a vital political dissenter whose influence is still felt today.
Contributed by Narad Adhikari, Harrisburg, PA: Narad Adhikari was a key figure in the Druk National Congress (DNC) and served as its General Secretary. He worked closely with Rongthong Kinley Dorjee for many years, forging a bond rooted in shared values and mutual trust. As Dorjee’s principal aide, advisor, interpreter, and colleague, Adhikari played a critical role in supporting Dorjee’s mission for political change in Bhutan.