Monks protest in Nagpur, India
On the 18th of October 2007, the Nagpur edition of the Times of India carried the following report.
They love their motherland, even though it’s strifetorn. But these monks from Myanmar, whose brethren back home have borne the brunt of the unrest, don’t want to go back because they fear for their lives. In Nagpur to pursue their PhD in Buddhist studies, the monks decry the military junta for suppressing the pro-democracy movement.
“Though we love our motherland, we don’t want to go there. We might not be able to come back alive if we go back. We don’t know anything about our families,’’ said Bhante Nanda Mala who has been in the city since the last six months.
Bhante Nanda Mala now preaches Buddhism at Vipassana classes organised by Sari Puta Boudha Vihar in Kailash Nagar. Nanda Mala was accompanied by Bhante Ashin Indacara, U Indacara and U Sobhana who want to pursue a doctorate of philosophy from Nagpur University.
“The people in Myanmar support our movement. But they fear for their lives and don’t come out in the open like we monks do. Due to this unrest, the soldiers keep strict vigil on our movements. We’re virtually kept under house arrest,’’ said Bhante Ashin Indacara.
“Monks are barred from either entering or leaving the country. The situation is worse than Tibet where again monks are fighting for the country’s independence. In this volatile situation, we don’t want to risk our lives. Our sympathies are with our brethren. We just pray for restoration of democracy in our country,’’ Indacara said.
Nanda Mala accused China of helping the junta in Myanmar. “Due to China’s help in terms of arms and ammunition, the Myanmar military has become powerful and is using force on innocents.’’
Mala wants the Indian government to help the people there in restoring democracy in Myanmar which is under military rule since the last 17 years. “The relation between the two countries is good and I think India should pursue the matter with our military rulers,’’ he said.