Myanmar Hindu groups seek India's intervention over growing hostility, appeal to PM Modi and President Murmu
- In Reports
- 07:59 PM, Aug 27, 2024
- Myind Staff
Two civil society organisations from Myanmar have appealed to India's leadership for urgent intervention amidst rising difficulties faced by Hindus in the country. The Myanmar Hindu Union (MHU) and India for Myanmar (IFM) sent a joint letter on August 22, 2024, to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Ministries of External Affairs, Home, and Defence, calling for changes to the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) rules to include Hindus from Myanmar.
“As the government of a nation that upholds the principles of human rights, religious freedom, and social justice, it is imperative that India takes a strong stand in addressing the grave challenges that the Hindu population in Myanmar continues to endure,” the letter stated. The MHU and IFM emphasised the deteriorating conditions for the Hindu minority in Myanmar, highlighting issues of religious discrimination, restricted freedom of movement, and difficulties in securing citizenship rights.
The organisations urged the Indian government to “recognize the deep roots of Hindus in Myanmar” and reconsider its OCI policy. “As Hindus from Myanmar, we were born and bred in the country, but according to the Myanmar 1982 Citizenship Law, we are made to feel like aliens and second-class citizens. Furthermore, India’s OCI policy does not allow Hindus from Myanmar to become OCI holders. We urge the Indian government to reassess the OCI policy and include Hindus from Myanmar as eligible for this status, recognising our historical and cultural connections to India,” the letter read.
Min Hein, the chairperson of MHU, stated that Hindus in Myanmar face significant challenges, including severe restrictions on religious practices and freedom of movement. He pointed out that permission for temple construction and renovation is difficult to obtain without bribery. The letter added, “Hindus in Myanmar have long faced limitations on their freedom of movement, particularly in regions where ethnic and religious minorities are systematically marginalised. The situation has only worsened over the past decades, as communal tensions and conflict have led to heightened scrutiny and restrictions.”
Hein also mentioned that Hindu families are often confined to specific areas and unable to travel freely for work, education, or religious purposes. “The rise of religious nationalism has fostered an environment where Hindu communities are increasingly viewed with suspicion and hostility. Instances of religious discrimination, including the use of Buddha statues during Hindu religious festivals to prevent distractions, bribery of local authorities to permit religious gatherings, and the desecration of temples, have become alarmingly frequent,” the organisations alleged.
The MHU and IFM highlighted the forced military conscription issue, noting that many Hindus fled Myanmar to avoid mandatory military service, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries like India and Thailand. They requested India to provide temporary shelter and aid to these displaced individuals, stating, “Youth are being pushed to join military service. In such times, many people, including Hindus, have escaped from Myanmar to safer places, especially Thailand and India. We would like the Indian government to welcome these people and give us shelter and food. It’s temporary, not long-term.”
The letter called on India to practice stricter diplomatic relations with Myanmar’s military government, emphasising, “Stronger and friendlier diplomatic relations with the current Myanmar regime will likely have more negative than positive consequences for India. The Indian government should consider tightening diplomatic relations, and reducing support for the military government until there are significant improvements in human rights and democratic practices in Myanmar.”
Additionally, the organisations appealed for faster processing of settlement applications for Hindus born in Myanmar and urged India to halt the use of the rupee and Myanmar Kyat in trade, arguing that current exchange rates benefit Myanmar's military regime. They also stressed the need for India to protect Myanmar refugees and prevent wrongful repatriation, ensuring those seeking safety are not sent back to face potential torture, forced labour, or being used as human shields.
Image source: Frontier Myanmar
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