Source: Hindustan Times:
Bhikkhu Wirathu, 46, is one of the most talked about figures in Myanmar. The Buddhist monk is the leader of the 969 movement, which is opposed to what they say, is the spread of Islam in the predominantly-Buddhict Burma, and is intended to safeguard Buddhism.
But many see his nationalist movement as a hate campaign against Muslims, and say it plays a key role in creating the climate for the country’s anti-Muslim riots, thus giving him the name ‘Burmese bin Laden’.This has also led to raise concern about the rise of militant Buddhists. The Bodh Gaya attack on July 7, some felt, was in response to what was happening to Muslims in Myanmar.Excerpts from an interview the monk gave to the Outlook magazine:
Categories: Asia