On May 14, 2009, 63-year-old Nobel Peace laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, was moved from her home to Insien Prison. She was charged with violating the terms of her house arrest. Her arrest grew out of a bizarre event in which John Yettaw, a Vietnam veteran from Missouri, swam across the Inya lake and spent at least one night on the grounds of her home, where she has been confined for 13 of the past 19 years. For the past few years she has been in frail health and it is believed being incarcerated under harsh conditions could prove fatal.
Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest was due to expire at the end of May. There is a legal requirement to charge her or else release her from detention. At this crucial juncture, this incident is being seen by critics as a pretext to put her behind bars. The charges against her of breaching the terms of her house arrest show that the military junta will not tolerate any challenge to its power and legitimacy. Despite international pressure and concern, the Burmese government seems intent on pursuing elections in 2010, which the generals think will legitimise their rule.
Once again there is outcry mostly from the west and not a sigh from the region. While US and UK contemplate sanctions India in the grips of an election does not seem to have even registered this major event. All the major media outlets and online publications are preoccupied with the "circus" known as the Indian election and Aishwarya Rai's red carpet strut at the Cannes film festival. BBC, New York Times and Al Jazeera have all given this event prime coverage, why this apathy from the region?
Aung San Suu Kyi embodies everything for our times that Mahatma Gandhi did for his. She is an inspiration to anyone who believes in the ideals of freedom and democracy. Her imposed silence is a powerful force for change and change is coming. Nations and governments who do not recognize this fail their people and the world. The 2007 mass uprising of the Burmese people (Burma VJ) against their oppressors could not turn the tide, lets hope this new development will. Lets hope good conscience and sense prevails in the region and the plight of the Burmese people triumphs over profit. It is what it is.
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I agree with your comments - let's hope now that the distraction of the elections are over, the re-elected Congress government does something. India should assert its influence in the region and say/do something. Hey, do you think Tharoor might get the External Affairs portfolio?
ReplyDeleteShashi Tharoor might get the portfolio as he is Rahul Gandhi's "chamcha". And that goes well within the Congress/Gandhi culture of doing business. Imagine dropping into the nation's consciousness four months ago, getting the Congress machinery working for you and getting elected.Only in India. In one sense it would be a travesty if he gets the position as it would be through posturing and not merit. He really did not pay his dues. If just degrees, pedigree and smug sophistication is enough to be a minister hey why not. Well you can say he has the UN background, well that just makes you a good bureaucrat that's all. As you can see I am not a big fan of Tharoor. I think the post should go somebody with more mettle.
ReplyDelete.. ha ha ha .. I got the desired response .. good blog, keep writing. I just read this morning that LTTE Prabhakaran has been killed. Can the Lankan army be now sent to get bin laden?
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