Mahn Ba Zan & the Karen Revolution

Mahn Ba Zan and Mahn Sein Bwint

Mahn Ba Zan and Mahn Sein Bwint were, respectively, my father and my grandfather. In order that their views and perceptions on the Karen revolution can be preserved, the following are the direct words recorded in tape by Mahn Ba Zan.

“My father was never satisfied with my having refused the position of Sub-Division Officer that was offered me. But there was an unusual occasion when he attended the February 11, 1948 Demonstration. More than twenty thousand Karens from rural areas came to the city to demonstrate. Of course, there were only some 50 Karen houses in Maubin city itself. He saw that there were more than twenty thousand Karen demonstrators, all well organized, inspired and united. He realized then that his son has been successful in his endeavors, and thus did not say anything more and kept quiet.

“ Another change in him came during the time we lived in the same house and I still serving as the School Principal, when he began to listen in on the meetings I had with village, township and sub-division leaders and presidents, and gradually became interested himself, and began to support me, with considerably less objections.

“ He was delighted to see these meetings with village and township and sub-division leaders. One day, an occasion arose after a conference on March 3, 1948, when the Karens became very much inspired and stimulated, and since the programs of the AFPFL government were unsuccessful, the latter speculated that the most important people that were responsible for the situation were Saw Ba U Gyi and Mahn Ba Zan. They began to harbor the thought that should something be done to Mahn Ba Zan, it would also have an effect on the rising tide of the Karens.

“True, since I was handling and had the charge of the K.N.D.O., all the movements were done by the K.N.D.O. Since Saw Ba U Gyi was in a powerful position, they focused their attention to me and planned to arrest me in order to prevent me from doing my work. However, in order to warn him of my imminent arrest, U Nu called Saw Ba U Gyi, who informed me of what was said to him, ‘You must talk to Mahn Ba Zan. He should not do this. The situation has become very bad. We may have to do something to Mahn Ba Zan.’

“Said Saw Ba U Gyi, ‘Look, Mahn Ba Zan, they said they ‘d be arresting you!’
When I replied, ‘Let them do the arresting. If I’m arrested, I can’t work anymore. But we cannot retreat now. This is the moment. It happens to be the time for it. So, I’ll have to continue the work.’ To this President Saw Ba U Gyi’s response was, ‘O.K., you just carry on with caution.’

“My father became aware that U Nu’s AFPFL government was going to arrest me. There were difficulties for me if they arrest me. Should I be arrested, one thing would be my inability to work. Another thing would be my children. It was because of this attachment, and I as somewhat worried for them. But I was not very concerned. What I had been doing was already very successful and well advanced. Having heard of my possible arrest, my father called me over and inquired.
“ ‘Ba Zan, I heard they’re going to arrest you?’
‘That’s what President Saw Ba U Gyi said.’
‘What are you going to do about it?’
‘Well, if they arrest me, it will hurt my work. I’ll have to worry about my family, problems for their shelter and food -----
“My father interrupted, ‘For their home and provisions, yes? Who has been feeding you all this time while you’ve entered politics and have been working for the cause of the nationality; I have been providing for all of you, and if you are arrested now, I’ll still be the provider, right?’

“ I was really flabbergasted. I was also delighted. My father continued, ‘You are now in the right vocation. But it’s like this. When you work for your people, you may get arrested, be imprisoned, and you may even die. You can just look, India already got its Independence already, right? And who was responsible? Gandhi was. You know about the many times that Gandhi was incarcerated. So, you may have to go through the same thing.’

“ When my father put it this way, I became quite encouraged and gratified. I said to myself – okay, now I’ve accomplished one thing -, I began to gain passion for our nationality. I became more enthusiastic and resolute to work.

“ Another salient occasion was when my father passed away of old age in 1950, after the revolution has begun. Before he died, he left a letter for me. The letter says:
“ ‘My son, what you are doing now is correct. So, just continue in it. Don’t look back. There will be problems, but whatever they may be, remember what is said in the Bible. As a farmer who tills his land clears away whatever thorns and bushes in the way to get the desired plot, in your present revolutionary endeavors, whatever difficulties, disturbances and obstructions there are, you must aim directly ahead, do what is necessary, and since this is the right revolution, it must be successful. My son, you’ll have to know one thing – ‘Don’t forget God, as long as you keep God in the forefront, your efforts will be successful.’

“ After reading this letter, I was very pleased and felt that half of the battle has already been won. Whatever happens now, even if I meet death, my work is correct (the revolution is the right cause to work for), noble and I vow to continue with it till the end.

“ I’m convinced that my father’s change of attitude has been a victory for me. My father’s words and parting message are still in my mind. This parting message has always seen me through any difficulty that I encountered. It has solved my problems.”

Now the patriots Mahn Sein Bwint and Mahn Ba Zan who loved their people had already produced new generations of Karen revolutionaries, while they had themselves respectively left this human habitation.

However, we should demonstrate that the national democracy, equality, love and unity among all ethnic nationalities, and everlasting peace that they have planted ought to bear abundant flowering, culminating in plentiful fruits.