Rohingya crisis has its roots in Myanmar history
Academic and researcher Dr Altaf Parvez said that much of how the Rohingya crisis came about could be answered by examining the history of Myanmar’s formation considering the number of different ethnicities in the country.
He said: “Geopolitical factors are being blamed for the Rohingya crisis, but it has multifarious reasons. The crisis originated in racial discrimination. Racial divide, hatred and oppression have been the major causes of this crisis. Another crucial aspect of it is related to the racial formation in the history of Myanmar's independence.
“Myanmar was envisioned as a union in the making, but Myanmar deviated from the spirit and eventually turned into a religion-based state. It is the religion aspect that has also been playing its part in the crisis of Myanmar.”
He continued to say that though Myanmar gained its independence under the leadership of General Aung San (Father of Aung San Suu Kyi, de facto leader of Myanmar's current ruling party) he was not alone in his struggle.
“Kachin, Shan and other ethnic people of the Rakhine state, formerly Arakan, were also involved in the process of its independence,” he said.
“At that stage, Burma was supposed to be shaped as a union. It was pledged that each ethnicity will exercise self-rule, and acquire the right to their lands. As this spirit did not stand the test of time, it gave rise to divide among the ethnic communities,” he said, adding that the Rohingya did not even manage to achieve self-rule as they were oppressed, deprived of the right to citizenship and were not politically organised.
“Now geopolitics is also getting into the crisis. One of the reasons is the mineral resources. But Bangladesh does not have to worry much about it. Many countries are beside Bangladesh over the Rohingya issue,” he added.Neighbouring countries are silent because of selfish motives
Daily Ittefaq Diplomatic Correspondent Moinul Alam said the oppression taking place in Myanmar's Rakhine state has reached the point of genocide, as the international community was not placing sufficient pressure on the country.
He said: “It [the Rohingya crisis] has turned into the death of humanity. But from the attitude of the neighbouring countries, it seems like nothing is happening there. Though there is news on the media, the countries are silent on this issue.”
According to Moinul, neighbouring countries are heavily interested in forming trade relations with Myanmar because of the mineral-rich Rakhine state.
“When Narendra Modi visited Myanmar amidst the Rohingya crisis, it was clear that the two countries were approaching towards strengthening trade ties. His visit was not motivated by any political issue, only trade motives were discussed,” he said.
He further added: “China has immense impact on the two seaports of Myanmar along with its fuel, electricity and other mineral resources. In this case, India wants to exercise some influence on Myanmar too. You can sense the competition from the situation.”Destruction of the Rohingya has been a planned process
Former defence attaché to Myanmar Major General (retd) Shahidul Haque said the persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar’s Rakhine state was nothing new, as it has been carried out for several decades.
He said: “It is to wonder how precisely and meticulously this ethnic group is being wiped out. When the Japanese occupied Burma [Myanmar’s former name], the Rakhine state [formally known as Arakan] was looted extensively. This is when the British army fought and took control of Arakan.”
“After spending several years of ups and downs, torture restarted in 1962. To sum it all up, Myanmar has been torturing the ethnic people of Rakhine for many years now. Although some were granted a Myanmar citizenship in 1994, a majority were left out,” he added.Many countries have interest in Rakhine state for the blue economy
Bangla Tribune Planning Editor Nazrul Kabir said one of the most important reasons behind Myanmar's persecution of the Rohingya is the blue economy.
He said: “America, India and China have a role in the [Rohingya] issue. The Rakhine state is in a geopolitical region that carries a lot of importance. Any country which can exert influence on this region will be highly benefited.”
He added: “I do not know how long America will support us diplomatically because they too want to exert influence on this sea. Since China and India are heavily inclined towards Myanmar,
“America is leaning towards us. In this situation, the extent to which we can advance ensuring our rights depends on our diplomacy.”Myanmar dropped Rohingya from census in planned move
The exclusion of the Rohingya from census was a planned move by Myanmar as it does not want to give citizenship to the Muslim minority, researcher and teacher Dr Salimullah Khan said.
“Myanmar dropped them from the census because the country won't recognise the minority. This is why they didn't give them (the Rohingya) citizenship. All of this is planned,” he said.
He noted that understanding history of the region was crucial to understanding the crisis.
“Three wars took place in Burma (Myanmar) between 1824 and 1885. Basically, the problem originated from that point. Hence, many Rohingya moved to Cox's Bazar and Chittagong. Later, many returned to their homeland. They had come here in the past too.”
Pointing out Myanmar's attitude towards its citizens, Dr Khan said: “Residents of Arakan (Rakhine state) were bound to come here 200 years ago. But in 1948 Myanmar declared that those who left for Bangladesh between 1824 and 1948 wouldn't receive citizenship.
“As a result, a number of homeless Rohingya came to Bangladesh. Once again they returned to Myanmar. They never got an address of their own.”
According to Dr Khan, political calculations were being made using religion. “Pakistan is doing it and so is India. Why will Myanmar be left behind? They are doing it as well. Geopolitical calculation has now reached the place of religion,” he said.All photos were taken by Sazzad Hossain
