A ‘Bhutanese standoff’

The nation’s bulk population with an undying penchant for meat and the government’s plans of putting in place slaughter houses is a marriage made in heaven. At the same time, the very same nation ever so hinged on high-held religious values and an ‘enlightened’ development philosophy of GNH (Gross National Happiness) should be, and is in complete opposition of such a blasphemous and unbecoming plan to swing into motion.

Now, this is a classic Mexican standoff situation, only there are no Mexicans in the details.

The government in its way of honoring its duty and promises to do what is seemingly beneficial for the economy sees the outflow of money in connection to meat imports, and so looks all in all the proper and responsible entity.

In 2014, the country saw an import of meat worth Nu 1.37 billion. A figure very worthy for contemplation in the case of a country that not quite distantly grappled with an economy crisis largely due to outflow of Indian Currency. Hence, it is established at least in the logical sense that this government act will ease things on the import substitution front.

However this is also the same religious country where people have opposed out-and-open the forthcoming plans. Looking at the valid points that turn themselves invalid in this is however of much interest. 

People don’t want animal-slaughtering quarters stationed in-house but the same people won’t give up their almost ravenous attraction to meat, continuing to buy them by the kilos and sweep clean meat shops as quickly as they are stocked.

Where in this do they suppose the meat is generated from? Slaughtering, of course, although having to answer the rhetorical is an answer to the whole drama in motion.

Reality does have a good bite on the meat eating lot back home as the non-veg meaty items of delicacy keep making regular appearances at homes, in gatherings be it personal or public and yes, even at congregations where the highly religious are present and partaking.

In this the two sides have enough to go ahead with very clean-slate justifications and put their plans or thoughts in action.

The government can stronghold on its obligatory and mandatory duties of economy restoration and go putting its plan in action. Meanwhile, the opposing quarters also have their GNH value-supported and religious values-empowered trump card to rest on, making a sound argument.

Keeping aside the government and economy factor, perhaps people should meditate on how lowly they are falling from their high horses as they hypocritically oppose something that is in one form already very much existent in-country (for ages).

The government could on the other hand try cushioning the impact with which the punch does fall on the general population. This can probably be in the form of alternate measures, one that strikes gently the collective sentimental chords.

Published as Business Bhutan Editorial on May 16, 2015