Why is Myanmar looking at Hindutva as a model? Other neighbours should follow the same path, what should India do?
When Myanmar was fighting for independence, British colonial officials tried to control it by settling immigrants from India. This policy created a new elite in Burma of that time, which controlled land, capital and administration. Along with this, the foundation of racial bitterness was also laid which is still deep in this country. A famous slogan of Myanmar’s independence movement was – ‘To be Burmese means to be Buddhist.’ The Buddhist nationalist leaders of Myanmar at that time called ‘Kalar’ more dangerous than the colonial forces. Kalar means black, which was used as a derogatory term for Indians and Muslims. Thousands of Indians had to flee Myanmar at that time. The wheel of destiny brings many changes with it, this time the flag bearers of Buddhist nationalism are looking towards India for help.
Myanmar Army looking towards India
The military junta ruling Myanmar at present is facing the biggest rebellion. Amidst the increasingly successful campaign of the rebels, the Myanmar Army is looking towards New Delhi for help. Last week, when the Indian Army delegation led by Major-General Charanjit Singh Devgan of the Directorate of Military Intelligence arrived, the Myanmar Army welcomed it by rolling out the red carpet. For New Delhi, the Myanmar Army seems like a natural partner. Meanwhile, an interesting change has come that China, a long-time ally of the Myanmar Army, has deepened ties with the rebels.
Increasing interference of Buddhist religious leaders
Since seizing power in 2021, the Myanmar Army has presented itself as the protector of the Buddhist state against the onslaught of Islam and the West. Right-wing Buddhist monks who supported the coup were patronized by the generals, but after some time these religious leaders were seen roaming around in expensive cars like Mercedes and Bentley. This presented a bad image in the minds of the public.
Nationalist movement turned against Islam
The influence of Buddhist monks in Myanmar is not a new thing. Due to fear of this, the army tried to control their influence only after the first coup in the year 1962. But this attempt was not completely successful. A large section of Buddhist monks continued the protests along with students, which overthrew the military regime in 2007. In 2001, Wirathu led a new movement called 969 in support of the pro-democracy monks. This name was given in response to the number 786 used in Islam. Violence broke out in Rakhine province due to Wirathu’s movement, after which 969 was banned in 2013. After this, the organization was changed and it was named Mabatha. In these nationalist movements rising in Myanmar, the biggest threat to Buddhism was described as external forces, which was entirely on Islam.
Effect of Hindutva in India’s neighboring countries
Interestingly, while earlier there was a very hateful attitude towards Indian immigrants in Myanmar, these movements started seeing Hindutva as an ally. In an article written in The Print, Praveen Swami has said that this change has been seen not only in Myanmar but also in Sri Lanka. Nepal’s Communist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has also not been able to escape the influence of Hindutva politics. These days Prachanda is visiting high-profile temples and advocating Sanskrit education. Like the Islamic movements in Pakistan and Bangladesh, these regional forces want to create a civilizational boundary. The important thing is that a section supporting this idea has emerged in India, but making it the basis of foreign policy may prove disastrous. India needs to keep an eye on its national interests and keep itself away from Myanmar’s ethnic-religious agenda.
