A Hindu man who went missing for five days after he criticized a Myanmar romantic comedy as racist has turned up in junta custody.
Shine Htet Aung went missing on Saturday shortly after claiming on social media that the film “Jar Kit Sar Pu Three” (Have You Ever Ridden a Jeep) displayed racist undertones in its title and promotional imagery.
The Defense Services Office confirmed on Wednesday that the police station in Yangon’s Hlaing Township was investigating Shine Htet Aung, owner of the “Her Sal Yon (Ko king)” Facebook page, for “instigating and spreading propaganda to disrupt peace and stability in the country.”
No reason was given for his prosecution, but it is believed to stem from his Facebook criticism of the film.
Family members lost contact with Shine Htet Aung on Saturday after he left the School for the Blind in Mayangone Township where he had been volunteering.
They filed missing person reports with police stations in Mayangone and Hlaing townships, but only discovered his whereabouts when the regime revealed on Wednesday evening that he was in custody.
In an Oct. 24 post, Shine Het Aung claimed that the film contained scenes disrespectful to traditional Indian clothing and Indian culture. Thousands of netizens have liked and shared his post.
Pro-junta Telegram channels responded by demanding he be arrested for ‘instigating racial and religious’ hatred.
The film will be screened in cinemas from Friday as Myanmar’s Hindu communities celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. The premiere took place on Tuesday.
In media interviews, the film’s director, Ko Zaw, said he had obtained prior approval for the movie from Hindu faith leaders.
Facebook community page Hindu Religious Knowledge called the film racially prejudiced against Hindu people as it makes fun of their traditions and culture. The Burmese title of the film, “Jar Kit Sar Pu Three” [a mock Hindi word], is a racist phrase used to greet Hindu followers in a discourteous way, it said.
The Myanmar Hindu Union also objected to the film on behalf of Hindu communities, stating it was disrespectful to the traditions, customs and culture of Hindu followers.
