Cracks in Burma’s Buddhist extremist organisation

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In the first sign of conflict within Burma’s Buddhist extremist organization Ma Ba Tha, two senior members of the monk-run organization traded accusations on social media over the weekend, according to The Irrawaddy Online on Monday.

U Parmaukkha, former senior monk in Ma Ba Tha which is the Burmese acronym for the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion condemned the organization for supporting only the Union Solidarity and Development Party of former president Thein Sein in last year’s elections.

He said Ma Ba Tha believed the Thein Sein government supported the cause of “protecting race and religion” but that he has not seen the same commitment from the National League of Democracy government.

“I wanted everyone in the country to love and support Ma Ba Tha. I wanted to have a pure Ma Ba Tha that all people in the country, not just one political party, could support,” said the senior monk.

U Parmaukkha was heavily involved in anti-Rohingya protests around the country which saw widespread violence against the Rohingyas during the government of president Thein Sein who ruled from 2011-2016. Human rights activists have accused members of Ma Ba Tha of involvement in the unrest.

In response, Wirathu, another senior monk within Ma Ba Tha, posted a message in his Facebook page attacking U Parmaukkha.

“You were the most hostile member of our organization. We did not kick you out – you left on your own because you were upset you did not get a higher position,” Wirathu wrote.

Cracks in Burma?s Buddhist extremist organisation - Thai PBS English News