The document discusses political and religious tensions in South Asia, specifically focusing on Bangladesh, Burma, and Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, the Rohingya Muslim minority is fleeing persecution in Burma and becoming refugees, straining Bangladesh's resources. Buddhists also face attacks in Bangladesh as a religious minority. In Sri Lanka, the government is working to bring back Tamil refugees who fled the country during the civil war, but refugees have hesitations due to the country's past actions and lack of response. The death of an influential Hindu nationalist leader in India has also increased fears of potential religious violence there.

1. South Asia
Ankita Singh, Christine Chen, Diana
Tappert, Emily Kim, Moira Dewey,
Jehan Silva, Julie Boyland, Pooja
Srinivas

2. Political/Religious Tension in South
Asia
● Currently in ...
1. Bangladesh + Burma/Myanmar
2. Sri Lanka
3. India
...significant political and religious tension is present.
In this region, politics are intertwined with belief systems. The
various governments rule with Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism in
mind.
E

3. Sri Lanka & Bangladesh: Current Events
● Refugees: People who have been forced to leave their
country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural
disaster
● Religious Minorities: Those people who belong to a
religion different from the religion that dominates
society. May also apply to a specific sect of religion.
C

4. Bangladesh: Overview
- In Muslim-dominated Bangladesh, Buddhists are 1% of
population = minority. Remain a very vulnerable minority.
- Also, members of smaller sects of Islam, like the Rohingya, also
make up a minority. Highly prosecuted in Myanmar.
Bangladesh's reaction to Rohingya "boat people" coming from
Myanmar remains to be seen.
C

5. Rohingya Muslim Fleeing Myanmar
- 800,000 Rohingya Muslims living on the border of Myanmar and
Bangladesh; designated as "stateless" until accepted by either
country. Neither country wishes to claim them.
- In light of recent violence against the group, and Myanmar's
failure to accept them as a legitimate minority, 3,000 Rohingya
have traveled to Bangladesh via boat.
- Bangladeshi officials
concerned that up to 80% are
trafficked or exist as
economic migrants, not
refugees.
D

6. Buddhists in Bangladesh
● What was supposed to be a celebration of Jahajbhasa Utsab, a
traditional boating jamboree, in Bangladesh instead became a
mourning period for Buddhists after 2 days of violence and mob
attacks from Muslim extremists.
DE

7. Religious & Political Tension
Recap:
● Rohingya Muslims fleeing Burma because of Buddhist attacks.
● Bangladeshi Buddhists rebuilding community after Muslim
attack.
Bangladesh = predominantly Muslim
predominantly Buddhist = Burma
Ju

8. Relation to Human Geography
Concepts and Influences on Region
Migration
Cultural Push Factor - Forced Migration
Refugees
Ju

9. Proposed Solutions
1. Aung Sang Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader of Myanmar, is
looking for cooperation between the 2 countries in conflict:
Myanmar and Bangladesh. Her goal is to maintain diplomacy and
promote cooperation and friendship.
2. Politically, the Burmese government is considering new
citizenship laws that will allow 3rd gen. Rohingya to become
legal citizens. Overpopulation in Bangladesh makes similar
legislation difficult. Both disapprove of illegal immigration.
E

10. Sri Lanka: Background on War
● Tamils: minority
● Discrimination:
Sinhalese &
government
● LTTE: Tamil state
● 26 year civil war
● Refugees to India, UK,
Australia, Canada
JeP

11. Sri Lankan Refugees
● Strides to
bring back
those who
left
:12-1:08

12. Bringing Refugees Back
● Special Consular Service in refugee camps on 20th
October
● 149 Citizenship Certificates, 50 passports, 59 Birth
Certificates
● UK & Australia- deportation
AP

13. Relation to Human Geography
Concepts: Migration
● Push Factors:
○ Poor conditions in camps
○ Hesitation for countries to extend citizenship
● Pull Factors
○ Improved status
○ Improved conditions
○ Economic opportunity
A

14. Influence on Region
● Currently:
○ Bad effect on Tamil Nadu economy
○ Increased tension between Sri Lankans and Indians
● With efforts returning refugees (Sri Lanka):
○ Economic improvement
■ More qualified/educated workers
○ Improved political and social situation
■ Reducing discontent by promoting equality
■ Preventing future fighting
Je

15. United Nations Criticism
:25-1:34

16. Hesitation to Return
● Lack of response in past
● Evidence of torture
● Opportunity in host country
● Uncertainty of state of Sri Lanka
P

17. Proposed Solutions
● Intervention of outside forces (India & UN)
● Strict regulation of cases of discrimination
● Impose punishments on those that break laws
A/Je

18. Death of Bal Thackeray
- Founder of the Right-Wing Hindu Nationalist party Shiv
Sena died earlier this week due to heart failure
- Estimated over 1.5 million people attended the
funeral, and all stores and roads in Mumbai were closed
for the day
- While Shiv Sena has not been in
power in Mumbai since 2000, it's
still had a prominent amount of
members
M

19. Controversy
behind Thackeray
- Thackeray was a highly divisive political figure
- Openly condemned anyone who was Pro-Pakistan
- Disapproved of Non-Hindus and immigrants coming into
Mumbai
- Praised Hitler's leadership
- Called upon his followers to form Hindu suicide groups
to attack Muslims
-Notorious for having for having violent followers
M

20. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-
india-20383401
Problems and Solutions
Problem - Shiv Sena lost it's party leader
Solution - Bal Thackeray's son, Uddhav Thackeray, has
since taken his place
Problem - The Indian government was really afraid of
violence breaking out, particularly during the crowded
funeral
Solution - 20,000 armed police officers have been
standing on guard. Both the Head City Police Officer and
the Prime Minister of India have asked the people to
please remain calm and peaceful in a time of mourning.
J