The annual Miss Grand Myanmar beauty pageant has been postponed indefinitely after a contestant’s choice of costume led to criminal charges for both her and three pageant officials.
The regime’s Kyauktada Township police officially charged contestant Ei Mon Lwin, who represents Shan State’s Tachileik Township, alongside the three officials on Tuesday under Section 295-A of the Penal Code for “disrespecting religion.”
The controversy stems from the pageant’s costume competition when Ei Mon Lwin appeared in an outfit modelled after a Buddhist nun’s robe.
Pro-regime media reported that the costume prompted the Ministry of Religious Affairs to file a formal complaint with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Contestant dismissed, claims no ill intent
Following the backlash, Ei Mon Lwin was officially dismissed from the competition. Speaking to pro-regime outlets, she stated that she had “no intention” of disrespecting Buddhist culture or the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The Miss Grand Myanmar clarified on social media May 5 that Ei Mon Lwin had not informed the pageant organizers about her choice of attire prior to taking the stage.
The blasphemy law
The Blasphemy Law penalizes “deliberate and malicious” acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.
A conviction carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, an unspecified fine, or both.
The use of religion-related penal codes by the regime to target individuals in the entertainment sector is not unprecedented.
The group was accused of playing Buddhist chants at a nightclub in Mandalay Region’s Maharaungmyay Township in late July. There has been no reported progress on their trial since the arrests.
Founded in Yangon in 2016, Miss Grand Myanmar selects representatives to compete in Miss Grand International, a major beauty pageant franchise based in Bangkok, Thailand.
