Ethnic divide in Sri Lanka and the making of ethno-religious fascism
Here is a link to an old article in the BBC to understand about ethnic divide in Sri Lanka, which is recent years has seen Buddhist skinhead monk-directed and state supported pogroms against Hindu, Muslim and Christian minorities there.
The other link here (click here) shows the remarkable similarity between the 969 Movement of Wirathu in Myanmar, and anti-Muslim activities of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and Sinhala Echo in Sri Lanka. These groups are led by skinhead Buddhist monks who want to drive out the Muslims.
Interestingly, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who is brother of the Sri Lankan President said monks are there to protect country, religion and race, something that was recently echoed by President Thein Sein of Myanmar when it came to describing the criminal monk Wirathu. He said, "No one should doubt these clergy. We're here to give you encouragement." Just as in Myanmar, the BBS has top-level support inside Sri Lanka, from president down to an ordinary Buddhist.
The main picture on a Sinhala Facebook page called "My Conscience", with more than 8,000 followers, shows a lion - symbol of the Sinhalese - devouring a wild boar depicted with a crescent and star on its forehead.
When will the Buddhists in Sri Lanka and Myanmar have the courage to call a spade a spade, i.e., their 969 movement in Myanmar and the BBS activities in Sri Lanka are "ethno-religious fascist movement from the dark underside of Myanmar and Sinhala society," respectively?
The other link here (click here) shows the remarkable similarity between the 969 Movement of Wirathu in Myanmar, and anti-Muslim activities of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and Sinhala Echo in Sri Lanka. These groups are led by skinhead Buddhist monks who want to drive out the Muslims.
Interestingly, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who is brother of the Sri Lankan President said monks are there to protect country, religion and race, something that was recently echoed by President Thein Sein of Myanmar when it came to describing the criminal monk Wirathu. He said, "No one should doubt these clergy. We're here to give you encouragement." Just as in Myanmar, the BBS has top-level support inside Sri Lanka, from president down to an ordinary Buddhist.
The main picture on a Sinhala Facebook page called "My Conscience", with more than 8,000 followers, shows a lion - symbol of the Sinhalese - devouring a wild boar depicted with a crescent and star on its forehead.
When will the Buddhists in Sri Lanka and Myanmar have the courage to call a spade a spade, i.e., their 969 movement in Myanmar and the BBS activities in Sri Lanka are "ethno-religious fascist movement from the dark underside of Myanmar and Sinhala society," respectively?
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