The Role of Students and Youth in Nation Building

Dr. Shwe Lu Maung Alias Shahnawaz Khan, Ph.D. (Wales, UK)

The Patron of Arakan Democratic Forces

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{Note: A few years ago a group of Rakhaing students and youths (ARAKANESE STUDENTS WELFARE SOCIETY, NEW DELHI) asked me a question as to what role they shall play in the world of the Rakhaing Nation. Being honored with such a question I presented my views to them. They posted it at their website http://www.asws.co.in/Release.htm. Now, I posted my answer in my website as a matter of comparative interest of my view with the Myanmar Constitution 2008 in the federal structure of Myanmar. Please read this article with special reference to my interview with Narinjara News http://www.narinjara.com/interviews/interview_vol6.asp.}

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The students and youth rule the future. This is a universal truth from the beginning of human civilization. Every new generation of student and youth learns more, acquires better education and develops brighter wisdom than the proceeding generation. Accordingly with each generation the role of students and youths grows bigger and stronger with heavier responsibilities and duties. This is especially true for the enslaved nation of the Rakhaing Peoples. I shall discuss this issue in the light of my own experience and present some recommendations at the end. This presentation is addressed to the Rakhaing and youths.

Definition of Rakhaing Nation: the descendents of Rakkhapura Kingdom who are loyal to the sovereignty of Rakkhaura Rakkhaingpray constitute the Rakhaing Nation. In 1947-48 they were divided into three geographical parts, 75% inside the Union Burma (Myanmar), 15% inside East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), and 10% inside India. Based upon our chronicles, archaeology, regional histories, and my own experience in these three countries I believe that our Rakkhapura kingdom originated around BC 3000 (some 5000 years ago) as part of Brahmaputra Civilization in parallel with the Indus Civilization of Western India. The Brahmaputra Civilization is the most neglected, least explored and is overshadowed by the Ganges Civilization. People of the Rakhaing Nation inside Bangladesh and India live a life of most neglected minorities at the backward of these countries. The main body of the Rakhaing Nation that was inside the British Burma surrendered its sovereignty to the Union of Burma (Myanmar). Under the spirit of 1947 Union Treaty (Panlong Agreement) and 1947 Aung San’s AFPFL Federal Constitution* the Rakhaing Nation inside the Union of Burma (Myanmar) is a Federating Nation, not an ethnic or a racial minority.

(*See Dr. Maung Maung’s Burma’s Constitutions, Martinus Niijhoff, The Hague, 1947 or http://www.shwelumaung.org/AungSanConstitution).

Our Duty and Your Role. At that particular junction of history our Founding Generation, that is my Parents Generation or your Grand Parents Generation, were divided into two major opposite camps namely the Independent Camp and the Federation Camp. Both camps failed to materialize their philosophy and political goals. As such, today, we have entered into the 21st century divided along these two major lines of political philosophy. Divided or united, we, together as the Rakhaing Nation, remain as the slaves in three countries, not only in Burma but also in Bangladesh and India. This is the fact, genuine and true fact. Therefore, today, our duty is to free ourselves and the Rakhaing Nation as a whole from slavery. What role shall the students and youths play in the execution of this duty?

In search of Freedom. How shall we free ourselves and our Rakhaing Nation from slavery? What shall be our new? What will be our new nationalism? The answers are very simple. Our new nation must be a free nation. Our new nationalism must be a free nationalism. The essence is the freedom. What then is freedom? How shall we define it? How shall we achieve it? ‘Freedom’ is made up of four components as defined below.

v Freedom is possession of power of exercise of self-determination.

v Freedom is defined as the power of exercise of the self-determination.

v Freedom must be achieved by collective exercise of power of self-determination.

v Freedom must be crowned with sovereignty.

Every person is born with the power of self- determination. The 16th US President Abraham Lincoln his famous Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, said, “….a new Nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal’…”. Please visit http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/gadd/gadrft.htm. Similarly, each person is conceived in liberty and born equal. Our Rakhaing nation was also conceived in liberty with equal rights along With all nations on this planet earth. Today, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights highlights our rights as a person as well as a nation, (visit http://www.un.org/overview/rights.html)

Free Yourself First: Most of you know the struggle of Lord Buddha (BE-80 to 1). Buddhist Era is used in Thailand and Sri Lanka. According to “Theravada Buddhism A Chronology” Edited by John Bullitt “Year 1 of the Buddhist Era calendar is the year of the Buddha’s Parinibbana (death and final release), which occurred in the Buddha’s eightieth year (480 BCE according to the “historical” timeline; 544 BCE by tradition), please see http://www.accesstoinsight.org/history.html#n1. Before He taught Dhamma to others He freed himself from ignorance, greed, anger and delusion attaining Enlightenment. This is in religion.

In politics, freedom is lost when a person or a nation becomes enslaved under a form of colonialism. Bang Dung Conference, meeting of representatives of 29 African and Asian nations, held at Bang Dung, Indonesia, in 1955 declared the need for “decolonization of the world” and the Bang Dung declaration became the fundamental principles of Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa. Embracing its principles, the United Nations: Declaration of Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and People, 1960 (General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV), December 14, 1960) “Solemnly proclaims the necessity of bringing to a speedy and unconditional end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations;

And to this end Declares that:

1. The subjection of people to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and co-operation.

2. All people have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.” This piece is just an excerpt.

Please visit

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1960-un-colonialism.html

or

http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/c_coloni.htm.

You must study these documents and attain political enlightenment to free yourself.

Learn English and Free Yourself. I became liberated from the Bama domination at the time I became fluent in English. The international language opened the door into the world and I walked into that freedom which is rich with science, culture, history and future. It was in 1956, in Munbra Mro, I, 11 year old, stood among a big crowd at the football field listening to the speeches delivered by the leaders of the Arakan National Unity Organization (ANUO or Ra Ta Nya). U Maung Kyaw Zan (Bar At Law), U Ba Myaing (Bar At Law), and U Kyaw Mun (ICS) were the feature speakers. U Kyaw Mun read out an English book in Rakhaing Language. I believe he was translating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with emphasis on the right to self-determination. The crowd simply admired him and said, “What a man! English is Ka Gyi, Kha-kway to him; a leader must be good in English just like that.” No wonder, Ra Ta Nya won the 1956 election with a landslide victory in Munbra Mro. Taking that case into my heart I studied English very hard. Today, in biological sciences alone there are more than 3000

articles coming out in English a month. No one or no country can catch up translating these articles into one’s own language. One can master English, but one will never finish translating English books into local language. Knowledge in English is like the space. It is endless.

Study Science and Liberate Yourself. To be liberated from the bondage of old feudal and colonial traditions and practices you must embrace scientific culture. Today science does not mean only physics, chemistry or biology. We have very advance and sophisticated social sciences. Even history is based upon the scientific methods such as molecular biology and carbon dating etc. We call it political science, not political arts. Unless educated in science a person cannot become liberated and democratic. Without liberation and democratization a person cannot become free from the bondage of feudalism and colonialism. Lastly, unless a person is free he or she cannot work to free others. I started working to liberate others since I was 21 because by then I had liberated myself and attained political enlightenment.

Freedom of Rakhaing Nation. Once you are free, start working to liberate our Rakhaing Nation. I have expressed my views in my book “Burma: Nationalism and Ideology”, University Press Ltd., Dhaka, 1989, that I am updating now, and in a number of other articles. I urge you to read and study them. Survival of the people of the Rakhaing Nation inside Bangladesh and India depends upon the strength of the Rakhaing Nation inside the Union of Myanmar.

In last three years, I have put up my program for “Decolonization of Burma”. I have strongly pointed out that the Rakhaing Nation inside Burma is a Federating Nation and we shall establish new Rakhaing Nation as the “People Republic of Rakhaingpray” inside ‘The Federation of Thuwunna Republics’.

Please visit http://www.shwelumaung.org/central/message1. see page-5

The proposed ‘Federation of Thuwunna Republics’ shall be constituted with the following republics.

(1). Peoples’ Republic of Rakhaingpray, (2) Republic of the Chin Nation, (3) Republic of Kachin Nation, (4) Republic of Kanbawzatai (presently Shan State), (5) Republic of the Karenni Nation (presently the Kaya State), (6) Republic of the Kawthulei. (presently the Karen State), (7) Republic of The Ramanya (presently Mon State), (8) Republic of Tanessaritai (presently Tanessarim Division), (9) Republic of Dagontai (presently Rangoon Division), (10) Republic of Ayawaditai (presently Ayawadi Division), (11) Republic of Uthapegu (presently Pegu Davison), (12) Republic of Magwetai (presently Magwe Division), (13) Republic of Ratanapon (presently Mandalay Division), and (14) Republic of Pyishwebo (presently Sakaing Division).

Our demand for “Decolonization of Burma” is already at the United Nations now. Please visit http://www.shwelumaung.org/ADFdemands and follow it up with full supports.

Myanmarism or Union of Myanmar is not acceptable. In my demand for “Decolonization of Burma” I have explained that Myanmarism is colonialism is colonialism and as such Union of Myanmar means ‘Union of Colonies’. According to the concept of Myanmarism the Myanmar Nation originated in Pagan under the rule of King Anawratha around AD1044. This alienates our Rakkhapura Kingdom and Mon Kingdoms that were much more ancient than Pagan. The Rakhaing Nation and the Mon Nations cannot accept this. It will be the same for other federating Nations. If the Bama Nation does not give up their Myanmar Colonialism we shall fight on.

Revolution, Struggle and Movement. Today students and youths must clearly understand the meaning of a revolution, a struggle and a movement. Revolution is a short and bloody war. The examples of the revolution are (1) 1776 American Revolution, (2) 1917 Soviet Revolution, (3) 1949 Chinese Revolution, and (4) 1971 Bangladesh Revolution. Struggle is a prolonged and violent movement with strength and anger. The examples of the struggle are (1) India Independence Struggle and (2) Palestinian Liberation struggle. Movement is a persistent, continuous, durable, conscientious, and intelligent upheaval against injustice with a mind of reconciliation. The examples of the movement are (1) Anti-Apartheid Movement of South Africa and (2) Black American Civil Rights Movement in the United State.

If a movement achieves the strength it becomes a struggle. When a struggle gains momentum it will transform into a revolution. I define my “Demand for Decolonization” as the “Citizens’ Movement for Decolonization of Burma”. Similarly, emergence or Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) is the resurrection of Rakhaing Freedom Movement. National United Party of Arakan (NUPA) constitutes a constitution of the Rakhaing armed struggle, which has been marginal for last 50 years. I strongly believe that the Rakhaing Nation must focus on the movement rather than the struggle. A revolution under the present circumstances in unrealistic.

I hope the Rakhaing students and youths will find my presentation useful in determination of their role. I thank you for honoring me with this opportunity of presentation. Farewell. SLM