The attack against Christian Karens took place just before Burmese military council chief Than Shwe’s pilgrimage to Buddha Gaya and before the blood stained dictator stepped on the red carpet laid out by Indian government.

Looking at only this piece of news might be interpreted that Burmese regime favors one religion and discriminates other ones. It is partly true because around 90% of potential voters for the upcoming controversial election belong to Buddhism. The Union Solidarity and Development (UNDP) party desperately needs them. To add the Prime Minister Thein Sein’s efforts, the State Peace and Development Council Chairman Than Shwe has to lure innocent Buddhist population by visiting Buddha Gaya and Sarnath.

The pro-democracy movement in India, in their memorandum submitted to Dr. Manmohan Singh expressed that act was an indignation. Burmese democrats said that those who killed sons of Gautama Buddha are visiting India where Buddha was born, enlightened and reach Parinirvana. But Buddhist monks are not entitled to vote or contest in any election in Burma. So for Than Shwe 400,000 Buddhist monks are not worthwhile at all.

The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) which attacked non-Buddhist Karens was formed by the good advice of Burmese military intelligent in 1994. The title itself was mutually chosen by Christian faction of the Karen National Union and Burmese intelligence. That made all Buddhist in the world angry and religiously speaking it disgraced Buddhism. The Burmese population including all religions do not regard that it is design to promote Buddhism by the junta. Indians and Burmese people equally blamed British colonial rule for wicked divide and rule policy. The regime learned from them. Karen nationalities are divided in the line of religion.

It ought to be coincident that the news on India-Burma-British comes together. The Indian Prime Minister has to receive British Premier on the next day he has met with Burmese dictator. At the backdrop of David Cameron’s visit, the headlines tell of British Petroleum (BP) Company’s role in the release of Lockerbie bomber and the BP will start deepwater drilling off the coast of Libya. It can be interpreted that Dr. Manmohan Singh’s valuable guests are the world’s third worst dictator and the leader of a nation of the third largest energy company in the world. The policies of such countries are so pragmatic in this era. So is the junta leader not a novice. He put the world’s largest democracy in his pre-election menu.

Burmese leaders will not hesitate to buy Burmese Christians if they are countable in number and vote for the UNDP. Burmese Muslims have been provided different color indemnity cards which is meant for voting as well as limited access to travel and business. After Than Shwe’s visit Indian origin Burmese mostly Hindu people in Burma will be able to enjoy some privileges which they have been neglected. But how far and how long is the question.

So the religion is good for everything including politics. For so-called meditation, Than Shwe and his wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing have sat at Sarnath where the first Dharma Wheel of Buddha was taught. Terrorists always pray before all the killings and destructions.

Out of the 45-para joint Statement of India and Burma regarding to the visit of Chairman of the SPDC, the 37^th paragraph is all what the people of Burma are looking for. The junta side gave a lengthy lecture on the preparations for elections. An optical device or a lens is needed to read India’s expressions on Burma politics and Burmese people have to satisfy with India’s emphasis on the importance of comprehensively broad-basing the national reconciliation process and democratic changes being introduced in Burma.

Tint Swe

28-7-2010