The Maungdaw district authority announced that they will support and participate in a culture and dance competition in the Thiremangala hall in Maungdaw. The Arakan state government’s decision to support a public gathering for Buddhists is at odds with the emergency Act 144 that has been in effect since the June violence in 2012. The act outlaws the gathering of more than five individuals, yet it has largely been applied only to Rohingya Muslims.
The competition that will take place in Maungdaw and Buthidaung has been widely supported by Maungdaw officials who have been spotted advertising the event during car tours in rural areas, according to various sources.
An elder that wished to remain anonymous wondered how the government can put their support behind the competition when there is emergency act firmly in place. Is the law only for the Rohingya community, the elder asked.
Buddhists can do everything they want, but Rohingyas can’t even pray in their mosques, commented a Maungdaw politician. The politician pointed out that it was like there are two laws that are applied differently based on one’s religion. Burma’s constitution is supposed to allow for religious freedom, he added.
