May 29: Beginning this year June 2 will not be celebrated as the Coronation Day. It will now be celebrated as the Constitution Day.

This was decided by the joint sitting of the Parliament yesterday.

The idea was proposed by the Prime Minister Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley. He said since the Draft Constitution is going to be endorsed and passed on June 2, it would be befitting to celebrate the day as the Constitution Day.

He said June 2 is the anniversary of the Coronation of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo who initiated the democratization process and ensured Bhutan’s peaceful transition to a constitutional democratic monarchy. He said celebrating the day as the Constitution Day will allow generations of Bhutanese to remember the selfless sacrifice of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and the precious gift of democracy.

The National Council member from Bumthang Tshewang Jurmey expressed his support for the proposal made by the Prime Minister. He suggested that the draft constitution be submitted to His Majesty the King for endorsement after it is passed by the house.

The National Council member Dasho Karma Ura and the Opposition leader Tshering Tobgay also supported the proposal.