This is not a moment for getting too much overjoyed. Turning euphoric is natural though. Hence this show of excitement and celebration not only across Myanmar but the world over. Pause for a moment and reflect.
A nation ruled by a military junta notorious for its ruthless suppression of pro-democracy citizens and leaders since decades, how long that nation would learn to live with it with people holding pro-democratic rallies, protests and agitations, howsoever peaceful such agitations might be, we need not go too far to reach a conclusion.
The billion dollar question however is how long Myanmar's respected pro-democracy leader Aung Saan Suukyi, fearless and courageous, in pursuit for freedom, is willing to foresake all the happy and comfortable things in life after years of incarceration and house arrest in a country ruled by a Military Junta? Thousands had already congregated outside the prison and also infront of the headquarters of National League for Democracy (NLD), the outlawed, dissolved party led by her, upon information of her release from house-arrest after 15 years under house arrest. Since 1989 she was under house arrest and before that prolonged period she was imprisoned twice or thrice for launching pro-democracy struggles against the dictatorship.
International pro-democracy organizations besides the Govts though pressed several times for the release of the incarcerated leader the military junta didn't cow down under their pressure, and went on keeping her under house arrest and imprisonment intermittantly. Many other nations though from the roof-tops proclaim before the world their democratic traditions and lofty ideals, when it came to the heart of the matter, shrewdly cunningly stayed away - opportunists to the core they are - as they kept and continue to keep friendly relations with that country to fulfil their ulterior motives. Myanmar's neighbouring country, India, world's largest democracy, thus we are made to believe, continues to keep warm and cordial relations with it with the argument that we should not interfere in the internal affairs of any country. To prevail upon Myanmar in a friendly atmosphere keeping up the bonhomie to release a pro-democratic Nobel laureate for peace from incarnation was very much possible but kept aloof from the whole subject fearing it would anger the military junta and that might lead the estrangement of relations. Apart from that about six months back India government extended a red-carpet welcome to Myanmar dictator Than Shwe and decided to strengthen bilateral relations further, signed pacts on various fronts to the satisfaction of both, India certainly was eyeing the enormous mineral wealth of Myanmar and also was nursing the desire to sign an extradition treaty thereby the militant leaders especially of ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) and NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland) safely holed up in their havens. Such pacts not in anyway need not deter a democracy like india to prevail upon Myanmar in a friendly atmosphere to have a compassionate attitude towards Aung Saan Suukyi and such an altitude would have paved the way for her release a bit early. Atleast India Govt should have had the comfortable feeling of raising the issue with its neighbouring nation. But no a nation must have the guts to rake up the issue and as long as such a thing is missing no question of such demands arising even in the future. On the demand for mineral wealth of Myanmar, another nation is also in the race for competing with India and even before India signing a pact on it China had already grabbed the opportunity. China always keeps its interest foremost in mind, 'sacrifice' is a word missing in its lexicon. Myanmar junta being very much aware of India-China competition on various fronts skilfully, cunningly plays one against the other as that country keeps its interests most vital like India and China.
Now that Suukyi is free, citizens forgetting everything throwing every bitter memory of past into the dustbins and the euphoria certainly is poised to exist for the time-being. And as long as their leader's quest for a democratic Myanmar lasts the fight for it will be relentless and she won't sit relaxed or lead a comfortable life leaving her struggle midway and her followers, together with her will continue with their mission and equally iron-fisted junta resisting Suukyi's struggle, a prediction of the outcome at the moment is something foolish. She was said to have been released unconditionally thus goes the reports that in no way means she is poised to remain free forever. Thinking on such lines is only a wishful thinking.
It is a paradox that while majority aspire for a democratic govt Myanmar is being ruled by a minority of military generals.
No comments:
Post a Comment