Sindhudesh movement

Map of Sindh with major railways outlined

Flag used by Sindhi nationalists showing an axe in opposite to the most popular Muslim Sufi symbols of Ajrak and Sindhi Topi in Sindh

Sindhudesh (Template:Lang-sd, literally Sindhi word meaning 'Sindhi Country') is an ideological concept floated by some Sindhi nationalists in Pakistan, for the creation of a Sindhi state, which would either be independent from, or enjoy greater political autonomy within Pakistan. It was conceived by senior Sindhi political leader G. M. Syed. A Sindhi literary movement emerged in 1967 under the leadership of Syed and Pir Ali Mohammed Rashdi, in opposition to the One Unit policy, the imposition of Urdu by the central government and to the presence of a large number of Muhajir (Indian Muslim refugees) settled in their province. During the 1970 national election campaign, Syed proposed the formation of an autonomous Sindhudesh within a loosely federated Pakistan. The movement for Sindhi language and identity led by Syed drew inspiration from the Bengali language movement, but the emerging Sindhi nationalism was marginalized as the populist agenda of pro-Pakistan Sindhi politicians such as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto with his Islamic socialism,which drew mass support amongst Sindhi people opposed to the previous regimes. To this day,not a single party provoking Sindhi nationalism has been voted into power in Sindh.

With his political base largely weakened, Syed later advanced his position, towards openly demanding separation from Pakistan and build-up of an independent Sindhudesh in his books Heenyar Pakistan khey tuttan khappey (Now Pakistan Should Disintegrate) and Sindhu Desh - A Nation in Chains.

The concept of Sindhudesh has, however, not received support from all segments of the Sindhi population and has not been adopted by any mainstream political party. The idea of Sindhudesh is largely supported by Hindu Sindhis in India, most of whom had to be relocated out of Sindh after Partition, leaving behind their property as evacuee trusts under reciprocal government supervision ; however it is not known whether Sindhudesh would be open to Hindus or not. Sindh was a relative peaceful province,with communal violence only erupting sporadically and during partition

It is alleged that the Sindhudesh movement is covertly supported by India's spy agency RAW and by Sindhi expatriates across the world. Major Sindhi nationalist parties, especially those that are secessionist, are Indian-backed.

Historical Kingdom

Main article: Sindhu Kingdom

Sindhudesh was also ancient name of modern Sindh, as the state of Sindh is mentioned in the ancient epic of Mahabharata by the name of Sindhu Kingdom.

Resurgence of Sindhudesh Movement

After the death of former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, the Sindhudesh movement has seen an increase in popularity. Sindhi nationalists judge that Sindh has been used to the advantage of people from non-Sindhi ethnic groups, citing the dominance of Muhajir people in key areas of Sindh including Karachi, the lack of recognition of the Sindhi language at provincial or national level, large scale migration to Sindh from other regions of Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alleged Punjabi dominance in the defence sector, and an increase in Taliban migrants moving to Sindh; as well as terrorist related attacks on the region. and believe this to be the cause of recent troubles in Sindh (see Sindhi nationalism). Pro-Sindhudesh organisations such as the JSQM and World Sindhi Congress have gained a wider support base.

JSQM 'Freedom March'

The Daily Times reported that on March 24, 2012 in Karachi, Hundreds of thousands of leaders, activists and supporters of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) attended a freedom march denouncing the Pakistan Resolution and chanting pro Sindhu Desh slogans, with many rallies being present. The paper also reported that processions occurred in many other cities and towns in Sindh. JSQM Chairman Bashir Khan Qureshi expressed his desire for the Urdu-speaking community to integrate with Sindh, calling them "brethren and part of Sindhi nation".

The Sindhi nation has been waiting for the last 64 years to secure independence since Punjab has assumed all the powers of the federation, including civil bureaucracy, military and judiciary, while all the resources of Sindh have been placed at the disposal of Islamabad.
Dr Safdar Sarki

A group of armed assailants who were participants in the JSQM rally shot dead a local teenager boy who refused to close down his tyre shop during the procession of the rally at their request. The incident forced other nearby shops and businesses to be closed as a precautionary safety measure. A police FIR was later registered against the JSQM militants.

An earlier march held before this rally was also supposed to be a "million march", although the party failed to attract the number of participants it was expecting, with only a few thousand spectators in contrast actually turning up at the venue. The rally was guarded by the party's own hired gunmen, who it was observed, violated the Government of Sindh's ban on the display of weapons in the province. Nearby adjoining roads became blocked due to the rally.

Sindhu Desh Liberation Army

The Sindhu Desh Liberation Army of SDLA is an organisation based in the Sindh province often compared to the Balochistan Liberation Army in terms of is objectives strives to establish an independent state of Sindhu Desh. Recently a series of attacks on railways lines have been claimed by the SDLA leaving pamphlets on the scene, mentioning the “atrocities” being carried out against Sindh and promising to continue their “struggle” till Sindh was granted “freedom”. It has considerable support from the disgruntled people of Sindh who are oppressed by the Punjab dominant politicians, army and bureaucracy of Pakistan since the 1970's.

Sindh National Movement Party

A new left wing party for a politically, culturally, economically and geographically independent Sindh was formed in December 2011. It wants to see Sindh as it was in 1843 before the British conquered it and opposes the development of Zulfikarabad, referring to it as a new Israel.

See also

• Jeay Sindh
• Indus River
• Indus Valley Civilization
• Separatist movements of Pakistan
• Separatist movements of India

External links

• G. M. Syed. A Nation in Chains
• FreeSindh.org a site dedicated to the Sindhi Freedom Struggle
• Sindhudesh.com