17 May 2022
Religious Nationalism and Extremism in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and India: Assessing the Impact of Structural Conditions
Summary
Elements of Buddhist and Hindu nationalist movements in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and India have displayed violent extremist tendencies in recent years. Each nation is now experiencing a degree of turbulence or political change. Sri Lanka is suffering from a devastating economic crisis, Myanmar is embroiled in a post-coup societal rebellion, and India has recently held highly contested state elections. How are these political and economic developments influencing religious nationalist movements in these three countries? Drawing on recent research and social media analysis, our three speakers discussed dynamics in the present context and the possible implications for societal cohesion in each nation.
Speakers
- Mr Alan Davis, Asia & Eurasia Director, Institute for War and Peace Reporting, United Kingdom
- Dr Neil DeVotta, Professor of Political and International Affairs, Wake Forest University, United States of America
- Mr Pravin Prakash, Doctoral Fellow, Heidelberg Graduate School for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Universität Heidelberg, Germany
Moderator
- Dr Shashi Jayakumar, Senior Fellow & Head, Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS), RSIS.
Summary
Elements of Buddhist and Hindu nationalist movements in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and India have displayed violent extremist tendencies in recent years. Each nation is now experiencing a degree of turbulence or political change. Sri Lanka is suffering from a devastating economic crisis, Myanmar is embroiled in a post-coup societal rebellion, and India has recently held highly contested state elections. How are these political and economic developments influencing religious nationalist movements in these three countries? Drawing on recent research and social media analysis, our three speakers discussed dynamics in the present context and the possible implications for societal cohesion in each nation.
Speakers
- Mr Alan Davis, Asia & Eurasia Director, Institute for War and Peace Reporting, United Kingdom
- Dr Neil DeVotta, Professor of Political and International Affairs, Wake Forest University, United States of America
- Mr Pravin Prakash, Doctoral Fellow, Heidelberg Graduate School for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Universität Heidelberg, Germany
Moderator
- Dr Shashi Jayakumar, Senior Fellow & Head, Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS), RSIS.
