Indian Muslim, Buddhist groups write to PM over killings of Muslims in Myanmar

Some Muslim and Buddhist organizations of India have written to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention to stop killings of Muslims in Myanmar.

The central government was also urged to protect the rights of Burmese refugees who are living in pathetic conditions in New Delhi.

There are continuous news reports of atrocities and killing of ethnic Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar which have caused a feeling of sadness amongst large sections of the Indian Muslim community, TCN reported.

Many organizations have protested at various places across the country against this widespread killings by the Myanmar Military junta.

‘Common peace-loving citizens of India are also worried about the news of large-scale genocidal killings of the Rohingya Muslim community,’ the groups said in the joint letter sent to PM and External Affairs Minister.

They urged the government to act as a peacemaker and ask Myanmar government to stop the killings.

‘This massacre is against the principles of justice, peace and humanity. Indian government as a responsible neighboring country, as a regional and growing international power, should act as a peacemaker and ask the Myanmar government to stop this violence against its minorities. This act will also enhance the prestige and image of our country in South Asia and in the International community. Thus it is our humble request that the Government of India, appeal to the Myanmar government to look into the grievous matter with the urgency that it deserves and protect the life, liberty and property of helpless Minorities,’ read the letter signed by Shahnawaz Warsi, General Secretary, Muslim Students Organization of India (MSO), Kishore Jagtap, President, All India Buddhist Council and Feroze Mithiborwala, President, Bharat Bachao Andolan.

These minorities should also be given their basic rights which they are entitled to being citizens of Myanmar, but as yet unfortunately they are not even recognized as citizens in the land of their birth and are stateless, they further said.

‘We also request Government of India to protect the rights of Myanmari refugees who are living in pathetic conditions in New Delhi,’ civil groups demanded.

Myanmar has a population 75 million with the Muslim population being just 0.7 million.