In 1948, Myanmar gained independence from British rule. Muslims, in particular, were cast as a threat to the local way of life. In the 1930s, violence erupted between Burmese and people of Indian descent. Between 18, the Muslim population tripled.Д®ach of these factors generated significant resentment among the majority Buddhist population. The British also promoted migrant labor to increase rice cultivation and profits. This resulted in Indian businessmen dominating some sectors of the economy. In Myanmar вЂ“ called Burma under British rule, but changed by the military after crushing the pro-democracy movement in 1989 вЂ“ the colonists brought in Hindu and Muslim Indians to serve in the colonial administration. Under colonial rule, the British often moved local populations to different colonies. The colonial administration withdrew traditional state support for monasteries, promoted secular education, suppressed Buddhist practices and encouraged Christian missionary activity. Myanmar came under British colonial rule in 1824. The roots of Buddhist nationalism go back to the countryвЂ™s colonial past.

In terms of religion, there is a sizable presence of Christian and Muslim minorities, but close to 90% of the population identifies as Buddhists. Its government officially recognizes 135 ethnic groups. While these groups might not be reliable allies for the military, they are a powerful force with a large grassroots base. At the same time the military drew a significant level of legitimacy from nationalism, which in Myanmar is intrinsically linked to Buddhism.ДЄs scholars of international relations who examine social movements, identity formation and conflict, we have studied the evolution and growth of Buddhist nationalism in Myanmar. These regimes displayed an ambivalent attitude to the countryвЂ™s main religion, Buddhism вЂ“ Buddhist movements, which were on the whole in opposition to military rule, were severely repressed. For almost 50 years вЂ“ between 19 вЂ“ the country was under successive military regimes. MyanmarвЂ™s military has held a prominent political position in the country for decades. The militaryвЂ™s seizure of power in Myanmar and the detention of head of government Aung San Suu Kyi is far from the first time generals in the country have interfered in national politics.

Military coup in myanmar