 By granting independence to Burma, the British government gave the new ruler, Aung San, control over areas that were not traditionally controlled by the Bamar.This conglomeration of formerly British-owned land created a state that is home to over twenty distinct minority ethnic groups.From the time of the signing of the Burmese Constitution in 1948, ethnic minorities have been denied Constitutional rights, access to land that was traditionally controlled by their people and participation in the government.