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Sindh People’s March for their Rights, a Success
By Raja Jee
On 22nd November, Quomi Awami
Long March led by Rasool Bux Palijo has reached Karachi, and thousands of Men,
women and children marched from Mazar-e-Quid to “Imprest Market”, the
historical place from where Sindh played his role in 1857 war against British.
Main leadership of Muslim League (N), Jamait-e-Islami, Sindh Taraqi Pasand
Party, Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf, Muslim League (Q) and civil society showed
absolute solidarity and participated in this Grand Peaceful Public Gathering of
more than two hundred thousand Sindhis including about fifty thousand women.
Participation and unanimous support of leaders of various political parties
indicates that they are united over the issues and all called this event as
most exceptional, mammoth, unique and longest protest march in Indo-Pak history
and congratulated Awami Tahreek and Rasool Bux Palijo for this heart-awakening
march. First time a march of a Sindhi Nationalist political party was the big
head line evening news for all English, Urdu and Sindhi TV channels and named
as a remarkable and unprecedented massive show of strength of indigenous
local people.
This march started from Kandh Kot, upper
end of Sindh on 8th of October 2009 and by walking 20 to 25
kilometers daily thousands of marchers including men, women and children
crossed Shikarpur, Sukkur, Khairpur, Gambat, Kandiaro, Noshehro Feroz, Moro,
Qazi Ahmed, Sakrand, Hala, Bhit Shah, Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, Shah
Karim Bulri, Mirpur Bathoro, Sijawal, Thatto, Dabeji, Ghaghar phattak,
Quidabad, Malir, Bhitai Abad, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Guru Mander to
reach Destination. This distance became around 1000 kilometers which was
covered in 46 days as scheduled. The main route of March touched from one end
to other end (North to South)of Sindh province where to cover the breadth/
other sides of Sindh merging short marches have also joined the main march
which includes as (1). Ratodero to Shikarpur (2). Dadu to Moro (3). Nawabshah
to Sakrand (4). Tando Allahyar to Hyderabad (5). Matli to Tando Mohammad Khan
(6). Daro to Mirpur Bathoro. In this way this tree shaped march touched every
district of Sindh.
Distributed pamphlet tells the following
aim and objectives:
- Right of governance with complete
autonomy as per 1940 resolution instead of rule of imperial forces
and their agents.
- Hold back the right over natural
resources, oil, coal, gas, islands, and coastline.
- Right of water of River Indus as
per Sindh – Punjab Pact 1945
- Stoppage of controversial water
projects i.e. Dams on river Indus and Thal canal.
- Stop alleged settlements of
outsiders in Sindh to convert indigenous population in minority.
- Reject allotment of million acres
of provincial land to non Sindhi population and multinational
companies for illegal possession over cities.
- Restrain Sindhi students from
admission in educational institutions of Karachi and preserving
Institution from copy, weapon, Bhata culture.
- Uproot all forms of Terrorism as
state, urban, tribal, and religious in cities and lawlessness in
rural areas by so called urban rulers and feudal lords.
- Protest against Continuous
unemployment and non observance of due share in jobs for Sindhis in
judiciary, military, financial institutions, autonomous authorities and
other departments.
- Protest against Jirga system,
Honour killing, Karo Kari, immature marriages and other violence
against women and minorities.
It is the fifth long march by Awami Tahreek
first in December 1991 from Sukkur to Karachi, second in 1994 from Hyderabad to
Karachi, third in 2001 from Bhitshah to Karachi, forth is from Sukkur to
Karachi in 2005 and this is longest fifth one. There is no doubt in saying that
Awami Tahreek always gained huge support from publics and their struggle
remained peaceful and non-violent. No scratch on any vehicle or any
damage to property or misbehave to any persons on any basis of sect, language
or creed were reported so far. On the other hand in 2001, they faced baton
charge, injuries, bloodshed, lockups, and tear gas shells each day by police in
a bid to foil the long march and they set new example of bravery ahead the
government blockade, torture, brutality and aggression and succeeded to reach
Karachi peacefully.
Awami Tahreek was formed on 1970 aiming
to establish a welfare state with participation of renowned
Marxist-Leninist-Maoist writers, political activists and intellectuals under
leading theoretician Rasool Bux Palijo. Besides contribution in all democratic
and human right struggles in Pakistan, the active role of Awami Tahreek is
largely recognized in Anti One- Unit, MRD, Anti Kalabagh Dam, anti urban
terrorism, restoration of judiciary , violence in educational institutions and
violence against women and peasant in all over Pakistan.
Founder of Awami Tahreek Rasool Bux
Palijo (80) is a well-known politician of Pakistan and he earned the fame in
struggling against feudalisms, marshal-laws, establishment, colonialism and
imperialism. Besides top constitutional and criminal lawyer, he is an authority
over world history, philosophy, science, religion and political theories and
also wrote more than 40 books on numerous subjects. He remained about 11 years
in jail and declared as Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International in
1981. Organizing women and Hindu scheduled Castes are his more remarkable and
revolutionary traits. His continuous love, affection and guide uplifted them as
first class citizens and He has broken the walls of untouchability and chains
of women slavery very practically.
During passing through no-go area of
Saradars in Kadh Kot, Rasool Bux Palijo expressed his views as “Through planned
conspiracy, big cities of Sindh are handed over to terrorists while the rurals
areas have been distributed to tribal chiefs and Jagidars and both are the
agents of imperial forces. Feudalism and urban terrorism are being nourished by
dictators and imperial agencies to maintain status quo. Criminal negligence of
present government over the urban terrorism on Sindhi and tribal terrorism over
women and Hindus are very shameful. However, the sons and daughters of Sindh
without any discrimination of caste, tribe, creed and religion are ready to
play their role in struggle to get back sovereignty of Sindh and the resources
of Sindh”.
Averagely 500 men, women and children
have walked in changing weather from hot to cold in the entire province on foot
and when crossed through towns and cities the caravan turned into huge public
gatherings. Leaders spoke there to highlight the issue and purposes. Caravan
received warm welcome by local organizations, political parties, civil
societies, bar associations at every stop along National Highway. There were
singers who kept the participants energized with revolutionary songs of Shah
Latif, Faiz Amed Faiz, Shaikh Ayaz, Habib Jalib, Ustad Bukhari, Sahir
Ludhiyanvi, and Bhagat Kabir and also the well-worded poetic slogans were
loudly chanted with pleasant rhythms as;
- Jo America jo yaar
aa
- Ghadaar aa
Ghadar aa.
- Qudarati
waseela
-
Awam ji hawaley kario.
- Karo-kari ain jirga
system
- Na manzoor no manzoor.
- Daryan ji
Aabadgari
- Band Kario band
kario
- 12 May ain 18 October Ja
qatil - Girftar
kario Girftar kario
- Jagia
Jagia
-
Sindhi Jagia.
- Sindhu te ko b
dam
- Na khapey Na khapey
- Rahbar Sindhi Quom
jo
– Rasool Bux Palijo
- Kery-lugar ain
NRO
- Na manzoor Na manzoor
- Dahishat garidi ain Gunda
Gardi - Band Kario band kario
Besides the frequent appearances of
Rasool Bux Palijo (Cardiac Patient), Advocate Ayaz Lalif Palijo, Sayed Aalam
Shah, Mohammad Khan Bhurgri, Qadir Ranto, Hakeem Halepoto, Mazhar Rahujo of
Awami Tahreek and Umrah Samo, Zahida Shaikh, Nazir Qureshi, Husna Rahujo,
Marium Gopang, Kalavanti Raja, Fahmaida Soomro, Azmat Halepoto of Sindhiyani
Tahreek are leading the March.
Ayaz Latif Palijo (44), Awami Tahreek’s
current president possessing moving and shaking personality and having very
vast knowledge and grip over the issue of Sindh told that “Today Sindh is
passing famine like situation. People are committing suicide and selling their
children due allegedly made price hike and corruption. Broad day-light dacoity
is made on water, finances, employment and resources of coming
generations. How long the rulers embroil the people of Sindh in concocted
stories? People are full of hatred and warmly contributing their part in
struggle. Hugely participation of public and political groups irrespective of
socio-political and religious affiliations proved that Sindh is united”.
Mohammad Khan Bhurgri, General Secretary
AT expressed the significance of march as “It’s a mammoth demonstration and
protest ever held in Pakistan. Main theme of this protest is restoration of all
rights of Sindh and establishment of democratic republic welfare state. We are
not against any group or nation but we oppose those who perpetuate atrocities
on Sindhis and other working classes of Pakistan. This march is organized
against ongoing unemployment, price hike, terrorism, lawlessness, corruption
and shortage of water for which we have received tremendous response from
masses, people are hosting break fasts, Lunches, dinners and night stays
voluntarily.”
Ms. Umrah Samo, President of Sindhiyani
Tahreek, replied when asked about hot weather, hard journey, as “It is tiring
at instant but energizing and interesting ahead public enthusiasm, supportive
attitude, hospitality, walking along, showering of rose petals, offering of
foods, juices, sweets, snakes, tea and milks by common people in thousands. At
start some were fairer but now we all are of same colour and complexions. Our
refreshed health and fitness is just the byproduct of 46 days long march”.
Many surprising and emotional scenes
were observed; some memories shared by Mr. Riaz Ahmed Pechuho, a 46 days
marcher, are as under:
1). During passing through Ghauspur
hundreds of Hindu Bagri women appeared and joined march singing songs in their
own language.
2). In Kumb city Menghwar Community
welcome the long march with many baskets of sweets and
celebrated Deevali Festival with Caravan.
3). Huge group of Young Shaikh Community
leading by Latif Shaikh received the long march like traditional Barat in
Gambat and all danced for hours in the tunes of barati band-baja and drums.
4). Parents arranged the marriage of
Sakina Maganhar but she joined March till the first ceremony of ‘wanwah’ and
all marching women left her with placing ‘Mendi’ on her hand palms and
marriage songs.
5). Two old age (above 75 years) persons
Ahmed Laghari and Ali Ghulam Nizamani are determined to walk for 46 days and
many youngster of 7-10 years are in the walk. Women with infants are surprising
entries.
6). A man near Sakrand stopped his car
and left his wife and three daughters in long march and come back at evening
and repeated thrice.
7). Many Small tea hotel owners at rural
side stopped the caravan and forcibly offered the tea to all persons free.
Ended all milk and tea and started walking.
8). All Gadi Nahins of Dargahs as came
across like Hazrat Sachal Sarmast, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Shah Inayat
Shaheed Of Jhok Sharif have warmly and culturally welcomed with presenting
Ajraks and singing sufi songs and showed complete solidarity with march
objectives.
9). Feet of participants were wounded
and swelled but the glow of their eyes were very shining and they kept the
victorious smile on their faces.
10). Many women carried their milk
feeding babies on their waists and continued 46 days march with a military
discipline.
Bravo! Awami Tahreek have played well
its role with befitting courage and sacrifice to aware, protest and project the
cause and demands of Sindh in democratic, disciplined and peaceful ways towards
Government and all well wishers of Pakistan and stressed to resolve the issues
and make the country go on in well and honoured manner.
(Writer is a social worker and civil
society activist. You can reach him at raja.jee.khi@gmail.com
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