The Association for the Protection of Race and Religion, more commonly known with its Myanmar acronym Ma Ba Tha, has criticised the publication of an interview with the leader of Moe Pya sect, which has futuristic belief. The group said sect leader Ashin Nyanna was acting against the religion. A publication on collections of the sermons by Ashin Nyanna was banned by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in last December. U Nyanna (a.k.a) U Nay Win has issued a statement on 6 January challenging the decision by the government and the monk group to call him and his group as acting against the religion. Following that event the Irrawaddy published the interview, with Ashin Nyanna, who face violation of freedom of expression, on its website on 3 January. In the interview, Ashin Nyanna said he did not believe in the notion that if you beat someone that person would beat you back and if you blow out someone’s eye your eye would be also blown out in reprisal action. People are poor because of the dictatorship or because of cronies, but they said it was because of their Karma, these words are to appease the dictators. Ma Ba Tha in a statement issued on 11 January strongly denounced the interview, as it would spread the belief of Moe Pya sect locally and internationally. It said the Irrawaddy is giving support to the views of Moe Pya sect. The minister of Culture and Religious Affairs Thura U Aung Ko told journalists on 12 December that Moe Pya sect would face persecution if it continue to spread its belief. Reference: Statement by Ma Ba Tha Central, Irrawaddy News Agency 3 January 2017