A group of Christian civil servants were assigned in Kayah State to build a pagoda. The state government appointed them without their consent in the committee, which is to oversee construction of the pagoda to be built near the site where the Kayah National day would be held later this yerar. In the committees and the sub committees formed for the construction of the pagoda include the Chief Minister of the state as well as the chair of the state Legislature and the state level senior officials. A notification on the formation of the committees said they were formed as per discussion at a meeting of the Regional government held on April 6. A letter sent to the Chief Minister of the state by the chair of the regional legislature asked to consult the members ahead of the formation of the committees. The move to include Christians in the committees attracted criticism as they give priority to Buddhist Religion despite of the other religions exist in the country. Even though, the members of the minority religions are facing persecution and discrimination the government gave priority for promotion of Buddhism. This development in Kayah state is an example of state sponsored policy of discrimination against minority religions. Reference: BHRN