Vol . 13 Issue : 3,4 March , April 2021
MYANMAR PEOPLE ON A LONG AND DIFFICULT ROAD OF STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY
The military coup in Myanmar on February 1st , 2021 has pulled down whatever the nominal and captive democratic rule there existed . Through its action , the military tore off the deal of compromise Aung San Suu kyi and her NLD were made to sign with it . For a while , Myanmar people were again thrown back into the same dark rule of military dictatorship . The people are left with no alternative but to continue the struggle for democracy .
There existed not even a semblance of democracy in Myanmar for several decades . Ne win ’ s military dictatorship lasted for nearly three decades . One military rule was replaced by another . Military junta not only wielded the state power , but also came to control the economic and political levers of people ’ s life .
There was a time when the Burmese ( present Myanmar ) waged many a valiant struggles against the British colonialists and Japanese fascist invaders . They staunchly stood in solidarity with the Indian freedom fighters . Aung San ( father of Aung San Suu Kyi ) was a most revered leader of this struggle . He was assassinated by the imperialist agents in 1947 just when he was 32 years old . Provided a correct leadership , these struggles could have developed into a successful National Liberation Movement . But the reactionary and Counter-revolutionary developments had overtaken the situation and the people were pushed into a situation where they had to live for long under one or other military dictatorship and fight for even marginal democratic rights .
In 1988 , the forces who were struggling for democracy came into touch with Aung San Suu Kyi who , at the time , was living her own life in London . She agreed to lead the movement for democracy . She formed the National League of Democracy ( NLD ) with an aim of ending military rule . There was an upswing in the movement for democracy . Military Junta felt threatened . It unleashed brutal repression , arrested Aung San Suu Kyi and many leaders of NLD .
Yet , under the international pressure , the S P D C ( political face of Military Junta ) held elections in 1990 . NLD had swept the polls . It was totally unacceptable for the Military . So , it annulled the elections and arrested Suu Kyi and several NLD leaders . Suu Kyi was kept under House arrest for 15 years . Yet , the protests continued with no break .
In the meanwhile , the Country was sinking into worst economic crisis . With increasing poverty , unemployment , costs of life , exploitation , oppression and natural calamities the life of people was becoming more miserable . The rulers were never bothered about the sufferings of people . While ruthlessly suppressing the people and brutally crushing the ethnic minorities like Rohingyas with one hand , and with another hand were tying up the economy with the MNCs and placing the vast natural and human resources of the Country at their disposal for loot and control .
In 2008 , the Military regime brought a new Constitution . It reserved 25 per cent of Parliament seats , Defense , Home and Border Ministries to the Army . It held elections to the Parliament . But the NLD boycotted it . Pro-Military party-USDP declared itself elected and formed the govt .
Bulletin of the Central Committee of CPI ( ML )