Guwahati: Two civil society organisations from Myanmar have jointly written to the President and Prime Minister of India, seeking urgent intervention in the face of the “escalating difficulties” faced by Hindus in the neighbouring country. Their demands include a revision of the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) rules to include Hindus from Myanmar.
In addition to President Droupadi Murmu, the two organizations – Myanmar Hindu Union (MHU) and India for Myanmar (IFM) – addressed the letter dated August 22, 2024 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Ministries of External Affairs, Home Affairs and Defence. Both organizations were formed in the wake of the 2021 military coup and support the National Unity Government (NUG), a government in exile formed in opposition to the Myanmar military.
“…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 stance in addressing the grave challenges that continue to face the Hindu population in Myanmar,” it said.
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The two organizations called on the Indian government to “recognize the deep roots of Hindus in Myanmar” and reconsider OCI’s policies toward Hindus from Myanmar.
“As Hindus from Myanmar, we were born and brought up in this country, but under Myanmar Citizenship Act 1982, we are made to feel like foreigners and second-class citizens. Moreover, India’s OCI policy does not allow Hindus from Myanmar to become OCI holders. We request the Indian government to reconsider the OCI policy and include Hindus from Myanmar as eligible for this status and recognize our historical and cultural links with India,” the letter said.
Hindus make up less than five per cent of Myanmar’s population, MHU chairman Min Hein told ThePrint, adding that Tamils make up the majority of Myanmar’s Hindu population, which also includes Gujaratis, Punjabis, Bengalis, Odias, Marwaris and the Gurkha community.
The Hindu population is spread throughout the country, with significant presence in Bago Region (formerly Pegu Division), Mon State, Kayin State (formerly Karen State) and Yangon.
Min Hein said the MHU would like the Indian government to welcome and provide temporary protection to Hindus who have fled Myanmar out of “fear of joining the military service”. He added that the The State Administration Council (SAC), or military government, in Myanmar “is trying to enforce a new law that requires conscription for young people.”
“Youths are being pushed into military service. At such times, many people, including Hindus, have fled Myanmar to safer countries, especially Thailand and India. We want the Indian government to welcome these people and provide us with shelter and food. This is temporary, not long-term,” he said, adding that they would return to Myanmar once “democracy returns to the country.”
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“Restrictions on freedom”
The letter also highlighted challenges in the form of “severe restrictions on freedom of movement, freedom of religion, difficulties in obtaining building permits for temples, loss of agricultural land, the long wait for obtaining settlement status despite being born in Myanmar, and the role of military support in perpetuating these injustices.”
“Hindus in Myanmar have long faced restrictions on their freedom of movement, particularly in regions where ethnic and religious minorities are systematically marginalized. The situation has only worsened in recent decades as communal tensions and conflict have led to increased control and restrictions,” the letter said.
It goes on to explain that Hindu families, who are often confined to certain areas in Myanmar, “cannot travel freely to work, study or pursue religious purposes.” The letter also stresses the right to freedom of religion and mentions that Hindus in Myanmar face discrimination and obstacles in exercising their basic rights.
“The rise of religious nationalism has created an environment in which Hindu communities are increasingly viewed with suspicion and hostility. Instances of religious discrimination, including the use of Buddha statues during Hindu religious festivals to avoid distractions, bribing local authorities to allow religious gatherings, and the desecration of temples, have become alarmingly common,” the organizations claimed in their letter.
Hein identified the Pelikhat (Pilikan) Temple in Yangon region and the Kyauk Ta Lon Temple in Mon State – both dedicated to Murugan, the Tamil god of war and victory – as the two most important Hindu temples in Myanmar. “It is very difficult to get permission to plan a temple, build temples or renovate temples unless we bribe the authorities,” he said.
“Reassess cooperation with the junta”
The letter said that the military government’s policies in Myanmar, “both explicit and tacit,” had further exacerbated the problems faced by Hindus in the country.
“Hindu religious leaders are often monitored, while believers face intimidation and violence during festivals and other religious celebrations. The lack of government protection and accountability has emboldened perpetrators of these hate crimes and left Hindu communities vulnerable,” it said.
The organizations called for “immediate attention” to the plight of Hindus and stressed that India must maintain stronger diplomatic relations with Myanmar’s military government.
“Stronger and friendlier diplomatic relations with the current regime in Myanmar are likely to have more negative than positive consequences for India. The Indian government should consider strengthening diplomatic relations and reducing support for the military government until there are significant improvements in human rights and democratic practices in Myanmar,” the letter said.
It continues: “Any military support, whether through direct aid, arms sales or strategic partnerships, should be carefully considered.”
The organizations also called on India to intervene to “shorten the duration of the settlement process for Hindus born in Myanmar.” Through discussions with the government of Myanmar, the Indian government can help ensure that Hindus born in Myanmar obtain citizenship and related rights without undue delay, the letter said.
The two Myanmar organizations also appealed to “stop the use of rupees and Myanmar kyats in trade.” Currently, 10 crore rupees is equivalent to 25 crore kyats at the exchange rate of 25 kyats per rupee set by the military regime in Myanmar.
In July, media in Myanmar reported that the military-controlled embassy in New Delhi had approved a new method for traders to exchange kyat directly into rupees when transacting with their Indian counterparts, in a bid to facilitate bilateral trade and address challenges posed by insufficient US dollar reserves.
According to the embassy statement, the Punjab National Bank in Yangon, which has the military’s approval for direct payments in Myanmar, has processed transactions worth over Rs 10 crore of pulses exports to India through this mechanism.
Another central theme was refugee protection and the prevention of illegal returns.
“…the military coup in Myanmar has led to the displacement of many refugees, some of whom have sought safety in India. It is critical that India continues to provide refuge to these people and ensures that those wrongfully detained by Indian authorities are not returned to Myanmar, where they face the risk of torture, forced labour or being used as human shields.”
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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