Lagatar24 Desk
Yangon, Sept.25: Hundreds of pro-democracy Buddhist monks marched through the streets of Myanmar’s second-largest city on Saturday, protesting against the military coup. This coincided with the 14th anniversary of previous clergy-led mass protests.
Hundreds of monks in bright orange and crimson robes marched through Mandalay’s streets waving flags and banners and throwing colourful streamers into the air. A protest leader stated, “Monks who love the truth stand on the side of the people.” They chanted for political prisoners to be released, including members of Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party, which won a resounding victory in the November election.
Some monks held upside-down alms bowls, which are normally used to collect food contributions from the community, as a mark of defiance against the junta administration known as the State Administration Council. “We must take risks and demonstrate because we could be arrested or shot at any time. It is no longer safe for us to reside in our monasteries “a monk added.
Myanmar has been in a chaos and its economy has been paralyzed since the military deposed Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian administration in February, putting an end to a ten-year democratic experiment. Anti-junta resistance has taken root across the country, causing the military to retaliate with a savage crackdown on dissent.
