George urges Indian PM to support movement for democracy in Burma

In a letter to Dr. Singh, a copy of which is with Mizzima, Fernandes said the Burmese people have been looking at India hoping that their neighbouring and friendly nation would help them restore democracy and free them from military dictatorship.

Fernandes, who on August 18 organized a special conference for the release of Burmese veteran journalist U Win Tin, detained by the Burmese military junta for 18 years, urged the Prime Minister to support, recognize and to foster the cause of Burmese democracy movement with other democratic nations.

“My proposal is that all those Burmese who have taken shelter in India be allowed to form a government in exile with India’s support and of all democratic countries of the world,” the former Defence Minister said.

India, once a fervent supporter of the quest for democracy in Burma, however, changed its stance in the early 1990s and since then has warmed-up to the junta to the extent of supplying arms and military hardware.

But an analyst at India’s Centre for Policy Research, Brahma Chellaney said while India continues to engage with the junta, it has been playing an active role in trying to persuade Burma the need for reconciliation in the country.

George’s letter, dated August 31, reiterates that Burmese people are being arrested at random, detained and tortured for their pro-democracy stance. The people are being victimized and terrorized and women are subjected to rape and humiliation.

At least 100 pro-democracy protesters including 13 prominent student leaders have been arrested and detained during a series of protests that began on August 19 in Rangoon and spread to other parts of Burma over the sudden fuel price hike on August 15.

George Fernandes, a leader of India’s Samata party, has been a strong supporter of the Burmese democracy movement and has organized a series of conference on the restoration of democracy in the military-ruled Southeast Asian nation.

While understanding the current Indian government policy on Burma, George in the letter said, “I am aware there will be some objections from certain quarters. But we owe it to our democracy to help the people of Burma to restore their democracy.”