The Republic of the Union of Myanmar was praised as 'paradise of anthropology' based on its multi-ethnic and multi-religious communities, which represent the beauty and diversity of the nation. The ethnic people, who inhabited the modern Burma/Myanmar, though they were once united in the name of anti-colonialism, were divided and became enemies within the boundary, due to various historical development. Among various factors that shape the politics of contemporary Myanmar today, this paper will deal with "religious discrimination" as one of the policy used by the military junta towards ethnic cleansing in the Union. .
All means of discrimination against humanity tremendously threatened the world of today. Though discriminations base on religion are massive around the world, religious discrimination as a tool towards ethnic cleansing could hardly be found in the contemporary history of world politics, unless in Burma/Myanmar. The military junta persecuted not only the so-called "foreign religion" such as Christianity and Islam, but also it's 'own soil religion'; Buddhism. According to the author's individual perception, the phenomenon of persecution against Buddhism or Buddhist monk during the "Saffron Revolution, 2008" was only the militias way of controlling power over the State. On the other hand, religious discriminations against ethnic groups are solely and intentionally politicized and used as a tool to deconstruct ethnic identities which are differ from the Burman. .
The military junta, based on "Burmese Nationalism", which is "being Myanmar nationality is being Buddhist", had implemented many ethnic cleansing policies towards the non-Burman ethnic groups such as cultural assimilation, religious discriminations, banning the teaching of ethnic languages in respective areas and restricting education system which were the most important elements of ethnic national identity.