Myanmar's hardline monks forced to adapt to new political landscape after junta loses power
Anti-Muslim network opposes citizenship for Rohingya ethnic minority as civilian government faces pressure to protect them
Hundreds of hardline Buddhists gathered on the outskirts of Yangon for the annual summit of their ulta-nationalist group on Saturday, as the anti-Muslim network looks to stay relevant under Myanmar’s new civilian leadership.
Maroon-robed monks, nuns and other followers filled the monastery in northern Yangon to mark the third anniversary of the founding of Ma Ba Tha, which has been at the forefront of anti-Muslim sentiment in Myanmar in recent years.
The group proved a potent political force under the former military-backed government, who they successfully lobbied to pass a series of controversial laws that rights groups say discriminate against women and religious minorities.
But the organisation ultimately lost out in November elections that saw their allies in the incumbent party trounced by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), which is now leading the former junta-run country’s first civilian administration in half a century.
Ma Ba Tha representatives from around the country took the microphone at the start of the two-day conference to review their achievements over the past year and outline plans for the future.
“Our principles are very simple: to protect our people and our religion,” said U Ottama, a monk attending the conference.