आज अगस्त की चौदहवीं तिथि है बासठ वर्ष पूर्व भी यह तिथि आई थी चौदह अगस्त १९४७ की मनहूस तिथि, सिंधी इतिहास का काला शोकजनक दिवस था इसी दिन, हमे अपनी माता से अलग किया गया था हमे अपना नाम(सिंधी) और भाषा(सिंधी) देने वाली पवित्र भूमि, सिन्धु भूमि, हमारी अपनी मात्रभूमि, हमारी माता, देखते ही देखते, अजनबी और परायी बन गयी
आज हम अपनी मर्जी से वहां जा भी नहीं सकते माता का दर्शन भी नहीं कर सकते कितने न अभागे है हम जननी माँ के घर केवल घुमने, मुलाकात करने के लिए जाने पर भी हमे पासपोर्ट, वीजा लेना पड़े, तरह तरह की पाबंदियों का सामना करना पड़े, पुलिस ठाणे पर हाजिरी देनी पड़े, सी.आई.डी हमारे ऊपर कड़ी निगरानी रखे - इससे अधिक शर्म की बात और क्या हो सकती है? परन्तु करे क्या? मजबूर है हम मजबूरी की हालत में ही, हमे अपना वतन खोना पड़ा राजनेतिक जाग्रति और सूझ बूझ के आभाव में, हम सरल स्वाभाव वाले सिंधियों ने अपने अखिल भारतीय गैर सिंधी नेताओं पर आवश्यकता से अधिक विश्वास किया इनके विश्वासघात के परिणाम हम, अब तक भुगत रहे हैं वर्तमान परिस्थितियों के बदलने की शक्ति हम बटोर नहीं पा रहे हैं वास्तव में, शक्ति प्रदर्शन का सही समय भी अभी तक आ नहीं पाया है तब, इस समय, हम क्या करें?
वर्तमान में, आवश्यकता है, अपनी सिंधी पहचान बनाये रखने की अपनी सिंधियत को सुरक्षित रखने की सिंधियत कायम रही तो एक न एक दिन, हम अपनी माता को गैरों की गुलामी से आजाद कराकर ही दम लेंगे इसमें लेश मात्र भी संदेह नहीं है परन्तु यदि सिंधियत ही समाप्त हो गई और अपनी सामाजिक आत्म हत्या करके हम स्थानीय समाज में ही पूरनतया समा गए-घुल गए, तो सारा खेल ख़तम तब तो सर्वनाश निश्चित है
यहूदियों का उदहारण हमारे सम्मुख मशाल का काम कर रहा है- हमे रास्ता दिखा रहा है यहूदियों ने अपनी भूमि को लगभग दो हज़ार वर्षों की लम्बी अवधि के उपरांत पुनः वापस प्राप्त किया इस सफलता के पीछे एक मात्र बड़ा कारण था - यरुशलम को, अपनी याद में संजोये रखना यहूदियों के हर छोटे बडे औरत, मर्द, जवान, बूड़े ने हमेशा अपने धर्म स्थान यरुशलम को दिल में याद रखा
इंशाल्लाह! यहूदियों की भांति हमे दो हज़ार वर्षों तक प्रतीक्षा नहीं करनी पड़ेगी और गहरी नींद से जगाने के लिए हमे किसी हिटलर की आवश्यकता नहीं पड़ेगी बर्शते हम अपनी माता सिंधु की स्मृति को अपने हृदयों में स्थायी रूप से संजोये रख सके
अतः १४ अगस्त को " सिंधु को न भुलाओ दिवस " अथवा " सिंधु को याद रखो दिवस " अथवा " सिंधु स्मृति दिवस " के रूप में मनाना होगा इस दिन, संपूर्ण विश्व में फैले हुए सिंधियों को वह सब करना होगा, जो सिंधु को याद रखने में मदद कर सके- सिंधु की स्मृति संजोये रखने में सहायक बन सके इस उदेश्य की प्राप्ति हेतु, विश्व की सिंधी जनता के सम्मुख, निम्न कार्य बिन्दुओं को प्रस्तुत कर रहा हूँ
1) अखिल भारतीय सिंधी संस्थाओं तथा प्रादेशिक सिंधी संस्थाओं को सिंधु प्रान्त के नक्शे छपवाकर वितरित करने चाहिए, जिनको फ्रेम करवाकर प्रत्येक सिंधी परिवार अपने घर के ड्राइंग रूम टांग दे ताकि छोटे बच्चों और सिंधु से बाहर जन्मे नौजवानों को कोतुहल वश उसके बारे में पूछने और हमे उनको माता सिंधु से परिचित कराने का अवसर मिल सके माता सिंधु की यह तस्वीर न केवल कम आयु के सिंधियों अपितु उन बड़े बूड़ों जिन्होने अपनी माता को बिलकुल भुला दिया है, की सोई हुई आत्माओं को जगाने और उनके हृदयों में जाग्रति का संचार करने में यह तस्वीरें(नक्शे) सहायक सिद्ध होगी वर्ष में कम से कम एक बार, १४ अगस्त के " सिंधु स्मृति दिवस " के अवसर पर इन नक्शों को वितरित करने हेतु प्रत्येक शहर में बड़े पैमाने पर कार्यक्रम आयोजित किये जाने चाहिए
2) १४ अगस्त के " सिंधु स्मृति दिवस " पर सिंधु के संतों, दरवेशों, महापुरषों, महात्माओं, साहित्यकारों, स्वतंत्रता संग्राम सैनानियों, सिंधु के तीर्थस्थानों व पर्यटन केन्द्रों की तस्वीरों आदि की प्रदर्शनिया भी लगायी जानी चाहिए
3)वृद्ध/बुजुर्ग सिंधी जन, जिन्होने अपनी युवा अवस्था सिंधु भूमि में व्यतीत करी, शीर्ण स्वास्थ्य के कारण, अधिक परिश्रम करने की स्थिति में नहीं है परन्तु वे अधेड़ आयु तथा कम आयु के सिंधियों को सिंधु के बारे में जानकारी करा सकते है - मौखिक रूप से, कैसेटों के माध्यम से तथा पुस्तकों के द्वारा पुणे के श्री लोकराम दोदेजा द्वारा लिखी पुस्तक " विसारियो न विसरन, मुहिंजो वतन, मुहिंजा माणहु " इस दिशा में उपयोगी उधाहरण का काम कर सकती है इसी प्रकार की पुस्तकों द्वारा हम अपने नवयुवकों तक सिंधु की जानकारी एवम स्मृति को पहुंचा सकते हैं १४ अगस्त के " सिंधु स्मृति दिवस " के मौके पर सिंधी संस्थाओं द्वारा आम सभाओं तथा गोष्ठियों का आयोजन करना चाहिए, जहाँ वृद्ध सिंधी जनों, विद्वानों, और सिंधु की जानकारी रखने वालों को आमंत्रित किया जाये, इन्हें सम्मानित किया जाये उनके व्याख्यान कराये जाएँ और पेपर पड़वाये जांए इस प्रकार के कार्यक्रम भी सिंधु भूमि की याद को फिर से जगाने में सहायक सिद्ध हो सकते हैं
4) " सिंधु स्मृति दिवस" मनाने हेतु आयोजित सभों में निम्न प्रतिज्ञा पत्र (Pledge) को सामूहिक रूप से पड़ा व दुहराया जाय:-
“में सिंधी हूँ - इस हिंदुस्तान के उस प्रान्त का मूल निवासी, जिसने इस देश को हिंद का नाम दिया वह प्रान्त जो हिंदुस्तान की पवित्र नदी सिंधु नदी के दोनों किनारों पर बसा हुआ है
१४ अगस्त के " सिंधु स्मृति दिवस " के अवसर पर में शपथ लेता हूँ कि में सिंधु भूमि को कभी भी नहीं भुलाऊंगा जबतक सिंधु पराधीनता से मुक्त हो , में सिंधु माता की अमानत अर्थार्त "सिंधियत" को सुरक्षित रखूँगा और इस के लिए:-
i) अपने परिवार के सदस्यों और सभी सिंधियों के साथ केवल सिंधी भाषा में ही वार्तालाप करूंगा
ii) सभी सिंधियों के साथ केवल सिंधी भाषा में ही पत्राचार करूंगा
iii) अपने बच्चों का रिश्ता केवल सिंधियों के साथ करवाऊँगा अति विशेष अपवादों में, गैर सिंधी पुत्रवधु के, घर आने पर, उसे बोलचाल की सिंधी सीखनी होगी
iv) पारिवारिक उत्सवों में सिंधी लोक गीतों (लाडा) और संगीत का आयोजन करवाऊँगा ताकि सिंधी कलचर जीवित रह रखे
v) सभी सिंधी उत्सवों और व्यवहारों को घूम घाम से मनाऊंगा
vi) जहाँ तक संभव होगा अपने बच्चों को सिंधी शिक्षा वाले स्कूलों में प्रवेश दिलवाऊंगा ऐसे स्कूलों के आभाव में बच्चों को १९४७ वाली सिंधी लिपि में सिंधी सिखाने का इंतजाम घर पर ही करवाऊँगा
vii) आपने घर के ड्राइंगरूम में सिंधु का फ्रेम किया हुआ नक्शा तांगूंगा
viii) जीवन में कम से कम एक बार माता सिंधु के दर्शन हेतु तथा सिंधु के तीर्थस्थानों के दर्शनार्थ सिंधु की यात्रा सुनिशिचित करूंगा
ix) सिंधी उपराष्ट्र की एकता एवम हिन्दुस्तानी राष्ट्र की एकता के लिए आवश्यक मूल सिद्धांतों, धर्मं निरपेक्षता, प्रजातंत्र और अहिंसा में पूरा विश्वास रखूंगा
x) १४ अगस्त का “सिंधु स्मृति दिवस " दुःख, दुआ, प्राय्शिचित व मातम का दिन होने के कारण उस एक दिन के लिए शोक और विरोध सूचक काले कपड़े पहनूंगा
कल पंद्रह अगस्त ब्रिटिश साम्राज्य से आजादी पाने का दिवस है कुशियों और उत्सव मानाने का दिन है उस दिन हमे अमर शहीद हेमू कालाणी और अन्य शहीदों को याद करना है परन्तु अमर शहीद हेमू कालाणी के सपनो के भारत का वह भू-भाग, जहाँ उन्होंने जन्म लिया, अभी तक स्वतंत्र नहीं हो पाया है भारत के नक्शे को ध्यान से देखने पर स्पष्ट होगा की भारत माता आजाद है परन्तु उनकी दोनों बाहें अभी भी जंजीरों में जकड़ी हुई हैं अतएव, देश की आजादी अभी अधूरी है इस बात का अहसास न केवल सिंधी जनता को, अपितु अन्य हिन्दुस्तानी कौमों को भी करवाना होगा
जय सिंध ! जय हिंद! जय जगत!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
SINDHI SURVIVAL
During last sixty years or so, Sindhis have been dormant politically. Few politicians produced by them were so much dependent upon and obedient to the all India leaders of their respective political parties that they could not assert and were merely meek spectators inspite of activities detrimental and fatal to Sindhis’ existence. While Sindhi congress leaders, with the exception of Dr. Choithram Gidwani always danced to the tune of all India Congress leaders at the cost of Political interests and right of Sindhis, Sindhi Nationalist leaders like G.M. Sayed surpassed even staunch Sindhi Muslim league leaders like M.A. Khuhiro & Pirzada Abdul Sattar in following blindly M.A. Jinnah.
With the result that father of Sindhi nationalism became instrumental in sealing the fate of Sindhis by moving the Pakistan resolution in Sindh Assembly. Although he later regretted his action.
So Sindhi leaders sacrificed their mother Sindh, to please their All India leaders, in their respective political parties.
Partition of India in 1947 culminated into virtual secession of a large chunk of Indian Territory both in west and east, against all cannons of International law, as wishes of the Indian People were never ascertained. There was no referendum. Vote in provincial assembly or constituent assembly is no substitute for referendum, as the members of these bodies were elected not on the sole issue of partition. Whims & ambitions of the top leaders of Muslim League and abject surrender of the top leaders of the Congress are the only reasons of the partition. Two nation theory was never accepted by the majority of the Indian people otherwise there would not have been the emergence of secular India, Bangladesh and ethnic strife torn West Pakistan. So Indian population on both sides of artificial borders drawn in 1947, especially the Sindhi people have not accepted the illegal partition and would be happy if reunification of all the three parts of India takes place.
Original Pakistan plan was to include entire Punjab, entire Bengal and entire Sindh, but the boldness of Punjabi & Bengali Hindu leaders enabled them to get 1/3rd territory of their home provinces in the ratio of Hindu population, while weakness of Sindhi Hindu leaders denied 1/4th territory of Sindh in the ratio of Hindu population, which was 25% of total population of Sindh in 1947. Otherwise, like Indian Punjab and Indian Bengal there would have existed Indian Sindh comprising the districts of Tharparkar, Kuchchh, Barmer, Jaisalmer and Nagaur, where majority of people speak either Sindhi language or some dialect of Sindhi language. The whole holocaust of partition, enabled the Indian Muslims to get their homeland in Pakistan, which ironically could rehabilitate only 40% of them, the 60% of Indian Muslims still remained in their native places in remaining Indian Territory. But almost entire population of Indian Sindhis, were doomed to exodus-to wander in vast land of partitioned-India, like vagabond & Banjaras. Speakers of all fourteen Indian languages have been given their own homes in form of linguistic provinces, but speakers of fifteenth Indian language i.e. Sindhis have been denied this fundamental right. They are asked to treat entire India as their home. “Rahne Ko Ghar Nahin Hai – Sara Hindustan Hamara – Sara Jahan Hamara”
Sindhi people like their brothers, speaking other Indian languages, would strive to achieve the goal of Sindhi linguistic province or Union Territory within the present political boundaries of India, till their original home province of Sindh is restored to them either by Indian reunification or otherwise. In compact linguistic province comprising the districts of Tharparkar, Kuchchh, Barmer, Jaisalmer and Nagaur, they will be taking all aspects of life seriously, instead of only money making. Presently, Indian Sindhis are almost nil in administration, politics, and agriculture, insignificant in art, literature and culture, while considerable in trade, commerce and fashion culture. But official patronage in their own province is bound to change this imbalance and force them to grow in all fields in a balanced way. They would regain their self respect as equal partners with other linguistic provinces of Indian Union.
With the result that father of Sindhi nationalism became instrumental in sealing the fate of Sindhis by moving the Pakistan resolution in Sindh Assembly. Although he later regretted his action.
So Sindhi leaders sacrificed their mother Sindh, to please their All India leaders, in their respective political parties.
Partition of India in 1947 culminated into virtual secession of a large chunk of Indian Territory both in west and east, against all cannons of International law, as wishes of the Indian People were never ascertained. There was no referendum. Vote in provincial assembly or constituent assembly is no substitute for referendum, as the members of these bodies were elected not on the sole issue of partition. Whims & ambitions of the top leaders of Muslim League and abject surrender of the top leaders of the Congress are the only reasons of the partition. Two nation theory was never accepted by the majority of the Indian people otherwise there would not have been the emergence of secular India, Bangladesh and ethnic strife torn West Pakistan. So Indian population on both sides of artificial borders drawn in 1947, especially the Sindhi people have not accepted the illegal partition and would be happy if reunification of all the three parts of India takes place.
Original Pakistan plan was to include entire Punjab, entire Bengal and entire Sindh, but the boldness of Punjabi & Bengali Hindu leaders enabled them to get 1/3rd territory of their home provinces in the ratio of Hindu population, while weakness of Sindhi Hindu leaders denied 1/4th territory of Sindh in the ratio of Hindu population, which was 25% of total population of Sindh in 1947. Otherwise, like Indian Punjab and Indian Bengal there would have existed Indian Sindh comprising the districts of Tharparkar, Kuchchh, Barmer, Jaisalmer and Nagaur, where majority of people speak either Sindhi language or some dialect of Sindhi language. The whole holocaust of partition, enabled the Indian Muslims to get their homeland in Pakistan, which ironically could rehabilitate only 40% of them, the 60% of Indian Muslims still remained in their native places in remaining Indian Territory. But almost entire population of Indian Sindhis, were doomed to exodus-to wander in vast land of partitioned-India, like vagabond & Banjaras. Speakers of all fourteen Indian languages have been given their own homes in form of linguistic provinces, but speakers of fifteenth Indian language i.e. Sindhis have been denied this fundamental right. They are asked to treat entire India as their home. “Rahne Ko Ghar Nahin Hai – Sara Hindustan Hamara – Sara Jahan Hamara”
Sindhi people like their brothers, speaking other Indian languages, would strive to achieve the goal of Sindhi linguistic province or Union Territory within the present political boundaries of India, till their original home province of Sindh is restored to them either by Indian reunification or otherwise. In compact linguistic province comprising the districts of Tharparkar, Kuchchh, Barmer, Jaisalmer and Nagaur, they will be taking all aspects of life seriously, instead of only money making. Presently, Indian Sindhis are almost nil in administration, politics, and agriculture, insignificant in art, literature and culture, while considerable in trade, commerce and fashion culture. But official patronage in their own province is bound to change this imbalance and force them to grow in all fields in a balanced way. They would regain their self respect as equal partners with other linguistic provinces of Indian Union.
INDIAN SINDHIS- Neglected Linguistic Entity
Over half a century has passed, when we migrated from our native Sindh province, due to Indian Partition.
Sindhi Hindus have always been a neglected lot in national life, although they are filled upto brim, with Indian nationalism and Patriotism. Perhaps, their unflinched faith in Indian national leaders of the time, prevented them to raise voice against the injustice of discrimination, which played havoc with their interests, their fundamental rights and their very existence as Sindhis.
Thirteen lakh Sindhi Hindus, forming 1/4th population of Sindh in 1947, were always taken for granted & were never consulted even in the matters vitally affecting them. Their wishes were not ascertained, while accepting partition of India, converting them, over-nightly, into “Aliens” in their own home land. While Punjabi & Bengali Hindus were given 1/3rd territory of their home province, in the ratio of Hindu population, Sindhi Hindus were denied 1/4th territory of Sindh in ratio of Hindu population, which was 25% population of Sindh in 1947. Radcliff Commission was appointed only for Punjab and Bengal, although all the three provinces Punjab, Bengal and Sindh were Muslim majority provinces. Justice was thrown towards Wind, again, when different yardsticks were adopted in two similar situations. Entire Assam was Hindu majority province except SYLHET district, which was Muslim majority. Similarly, entire Sindh was Muslim majority province except THARPARKAR district which was Hindu majority district, While SYLHET district was given to Pakistan after holding a Plebiscite/referendum, this right was denied to the people of Tharparkar. Indian Sindhis thus lost their right over the only Hindu majority district of Sindh. Otherwise, like Indian Punjab & Indian Bengal there would have emerged Indian Sindh comprising the districts of Tharparkar, Kutch, Barmer, Jaisalrmer & Nagaur, where majority of people speak either Sindhi language or some dialect of Sindhi language. This act of discrimination with the Sindhis was repeated in 1956 when India was reorganized on linguistic basis. While speakers of all fourteen Indian languages were given their homes in the form of linguistic provinces, Speakers of fifteenth Indian language i.e. Sindhis were denied this fundamental right. The Sindhi speaking territory was allowed to be divided between two neighbouring provinces of Gujarat & Rajasthan. Scores of provinces and Uniion territories with full fledged assemblies were created even after 1956, on the basis of language and ethnicity, but Indian Sindhis were again ignored. Perhaps our national leaders were waiting for some violent agitation on the pattern of Darjeeling & Jharkhand & Bodoland movements.
Honestly speaking, our national leadership does not feel any need for caring about interests of Indian Sindhis. As their attention is drawn only when there is violent agitation or prospects in election are affected adversely. The haphazard rehabilitation of migrant Sindhis & consequent widest dispersal throughout the length & breath of India have rendered them in to microscopic minority everywhere, so no election constituency in India threatens politician’s prospects in election adversely.
Secondly, national leadership which is virtually non-Sindhi breed, consider all the Indian Sindhis, well settled & rich people, requiring no attention. They perhaps do not know that only 5% of Indian Sindhis come under the category of rich people. Almost 5% are below poverty line and rest 90% either belong to lower middle class (70%) and upper middle class (20%).
Sindhi Hindus have always been a neglected lot in national life, although they are filled upto brim, with Indian nationalism and Patriotism. Perhaps, their unflinched faith in Indian national leaders of the time, prevented them to raise voice against the injustice of discrimination, which played havoc with their interests, their fundamental rights and their very existence as Sindhis.
Thirteen lakh Sindhi Hindus, forming 1/4th population of Sindh in 1947, were always taken for granted & were never consulted even in the matters vitally affecting them. Their wishes were not ascertained, while accepting partition of India, converting them, over-nightly, into “Aliens” in their own home land. While Punjabi & Bengali Hindus were given 1/3rd territory of their home province, in the ratio of Hindu population, Sindhi Hindus were denied 1/4th territory of Sindh in ratio of Hindu population, which was 25% population of Sindh in 1947. Radcliff Commission was appointed only for Punjab and Bengal, although all the three provinces Punjab, Bengal and Sindh were Muslim majority provinces. Justice was thrown towards Wind, again, when different yardsticks were adopted in two similar situations. Entire Assam was Hindu majority province except SYLHET district, which was Muslim majority. Similarly, entire Sindh was Muslim majority province except THARPARKAR district which was Hindu majority district, While SYLHET district was given to Pakistan after holding a Plebiscite/referendum, this right was denied to the people of Tharparkar. Indian Sindhis thus lost their right over the only Hindu majority district of Sindh. Otherwise, like Indian Punjab & Indian Bengal there would have emerged Indian Sindh comprising the districts of Tharparkar, Kutch, Barmer, Jaisalrmer & Nagaur, where majority of people speak either Sindhi language or some dialect of Sindhi language. This act of discrimination with the Sindhis was repeated in 1956 when India was reorganized on linguistic basis. While speakers of all fourteen Indian languages were given their homes in the form of linguistic provinces, Speakers of fifteenth Indian language i.e. Sindhis were denied this fundamental right. The Sindhi speaking territory was allowed to be divided between two neighbouring provinces of Gujarat & Rajasthan. Scores of provinces and Uniion territories with full fledged assemblies were created even after 1956, on the basis of language and ethnicity, but Indian Sindhis were again ignored. Perhaps our national leaders were waiting for some violent agitation on the pattern of Darjeeling & Jharkhand & Bodoland movements.
Honestly speaking, our national leadership does not feel any need for caring about interests of Indian Sindhis. As their attention is drawn only when there is violent agitation or prospects in election are affected adversely. The haphazard rehabilitation of migrant Sindhis & consequent widest dispersal throughout the length & breath of India have rendered them in to microscopic minority everywhere, so no election constituency in India threatens politician’s prospects in election adversely.
Secondly, national leadership which is virtually non-Sindhi breed, consider all the Indian Sindhis, well settled & rich people, requiring no attention. They perhaps do not know that only 5% of Indian Sindhis come under the category of rich people. Almost 5% are below poverty line and rest 90% either belong to lower middle class (70%) and upper middle class (20%).
SHORT STORY OF SINDHIS
If you look into the political maps of India, printed between 1935 and 1947, you would find a small province of eight districts, on the western tip, called Sind or Sindh. The natives of this province are known as Sindhis, whose mother tongue is Sindhi language, whatever be their religion & place of present inhabitance.
In this small article, I would be telling the story of these Sindhis ---------------- story of suffering silently & story of betrayal by their own countrymen, their own compatriots. Who for half century shouted at top of their voice – “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, but on one black fourteenth mid-night of August, 1947, agreed to murder this very “Bharat Mata” by cutting her into three pieces.
Sindhis, thereby, became foreigners in the lap of their own mother, as SHE herself was thrown to wolves. Never before in the history of world, had people seen the replacement and displacement of masses. They had seen the ouster of Kings and “Rajas” only, but not of their subjects – their “Praja”.
Sindhis were, thus, ousted from their hearths and homes, for no fault of theirs to live the lives of ‘KHANABADOSHS’ in the vast ocean like land of partitioned India.
Now, let us read the story of discrimination. India was partitioned to provide home for Indian Muslims, Punjab was partitioned to provide home for Punjabi Hindus, Bengal was partitioned to provide home for Bengali Hindus but Sindh was not partitioned to deny home for Sindhi Hindus. Nobody cared to know their wishes. Nobody even bothered to respect their right of self-determination. There was referendum in N.W.F.P., but not in Sindh. There was referendum in the sole Muslim majority district of Sylhet in the Hindu majority province of Assam, but no referendum in the sole Hindu majority district of Tharparkar in the muslim majority province of Sindh.
Sindhis were, thus, doomed to live the lives of ‘REFUGEES’ till eternity.
Then, started the story of struggle-------struggle for existence, struggle for sustenance, struggle for bread, struggle for resettlement in unknown pastures. Sindhis by dint of diligence & business acumen succeeded to defeat the odds and solved to a great extent, their economic problems, but at what cost? At the cost, which cannot be calculated. At the cost of their four thousand year old culture, at the cost of their rich language, at the cost of their ownself, at the cost of their ‘IDENTITY’.
Sindhis thus became ‘PAUPERS’ in their skyscrapers. To sum up, I would narrate the story in present tense----the current story. This is the story of aloofness from mainstream of national life, story of their de-recognition by national leadership, story of their virtual write off.
Fifty lakhs Sindhis, living within the borders of partitioned India, have hardly any representation in the numerous democratic institutions. Their voice never reaches to the ears of those who are at the helm of affairs. National press hardly take notice of their seminars, their conferences, their cultural activities or their praiseworthy role in building Indian economy and past glorious role in Indian freedom struggle.
Radio and Television, has no time to spare for Sindhi speaking citizens, as they have to divide the working time among national and provincial programmes. How can they accommodate Sindhi programme, which is neither national nor provincial?
“APNA UTSAV” can include ‘Utsavs’ of all the twenty eight provincial cultures and few Union territory cultures, but not the ex-provincial culture of Sindhis.
Republic Day parade in the national capital depicts the ‘Jhankis’ of all small and big Indian nationalities minus Sindhi nationality. So Sindhis are completely ignored.
These circumstances produce the real danger of the extinction of Sindhi species, like Red Indians of America.
Nation is concerned for preserving the ‘Gir Lions’. Nation is concerned for preserving wild life species. Nation is concerned for preserving French culture in Pondicherry and Portugees culture in Goa. But nation is unconcerned for the preservation of the oldest national culture, that is, the culture of the natives of Mohan-Jo-Daro.
So, Sindhis have no alternate but to awake from long slumber and depend on themselves to achieve their due place in the national mainstream.
The beginning of the end of all stories would be to resettle at the feet of our own mother, who is languishing in the dingy cell of prison, ever since her own mother, the ‘Bharat Mata’ was assassinated in 1947. The place I indicate is the soil of Kutchh, adjoining our native land, who native inhabitants speak the language, which is the only dialect of Sindhi language. This is the place, where voice of river Sindh is audible. This is the place, where Sindhis can hear the voice of their enslaved mother. This is the only Sindhi speaking territory in entire partitioned India.
In this small article, I would be telling the story of these Sindhis ---------------- story of suffering silently & story of betrayal by their own countrymen, their own compatriots. Who for half century shouted at top of their voice – “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, but on one black fourteenth mid-night of August, 1947, agreed to murder this very “Bharat Mata” by cutting her into three pieces.
Sindhis, thereby, became foreigners in the lap of their own mother, as SHE herself was thrown to wolves. Never before in the history of world, had people seen the replacement and displacement of masses. They had seen the ouster of Kings and “Rajas” only, but not of their subjects – their “Praja”.
Sindhis were, thus, ousted from their hearths and homes, for no fault of theirs to live the lives of ‘KHANABADOSHS’ in the vast ocean like land of partitioned India.
Now, let us read the story of discrimination. India was partitioned to provide home for Indian Muslims, Punjab was partitioned to provide home for Punjabi Hindus, Bengal was partitioned to provide home for Bengali Hindus but Sindh was not partitioned to deny home for Sindhi Hindus. Nobody cared to know their wishes. Nobody even bothered to respect their right of self-determination. There was referendum in N.W.F.P., but not in Sindh. There was referendum in the sole Muslim majority district of Sylhet in the Hindu majority province of Assam, but no referendum in the sole Hindu majority district of Tharparkar in the muslim majority province of Sindh.
Sindhis were, thus, doomed to live the lives of ‘REFUGEES’ till eternity.
Then, started the story of struggle-------struggle for existence, struggle for sustenance, struggle for bread, struggle for resettlement in unknown pastures. Sindhis by dint of diligence & business acumen succeeded to defeat the odds and solved to a great extent, their economic problems, but at what cost? At the cost, which cannot be calculated. At the cost of their four thousand year old culture, at the cost of their rich language, at the cost of their ownself, at the cost of their ‘IDENTITY’.
Sindhis thus became ‘PAUPERS’ in their skyscrapers. To sum up, I would narrate the story in present tense----the current story. This is the story of aloofness from mainstream of national life, story of their de-recognition by national leadership, story of their virtual write off.
Fifty lakhs Sindhis, living within the borders of partitioned India, have hardly any representation in the numerous democratic institutions. Their voice never reaches to the ears of those who are at the helm of affairs. National press hardly take notice of their seminars, their conferences, their cultural activities or their praiseworthy role in building Indian economy and past glorious role in Indian freedom struggle.
Radio and Television, has no time to spare for Sindhi speaking citizens, as they have to divide the working time among national and provincial programmes. How can they accommodate Sindhi programme, which is neither national nor provincial?
“APNA UTSAV” can include ‘Utsavs’ of all the twenty eight provincial cultures and few Union territory cultures, but not the ex-provincial culture of Sindhis.
Republic Day parade in the national capital depicts the ‘Jhankis’ of all small and big Indian nationalities minus Sindhi nationality. So Sindhis are completely ignored.
These circumstances produce the real danger of the extinction of Sindhi species, like Red Indians of America.
Nation is concerned for preserving the ‘Gir Lions’. Nation is concerned for preserving wild life species. Nation is concerned for preserving French culture in Pondicherry and Portugees culture in Goa. But nation is unconcerned for the preservation of the oldest national culture, that is, the culture of the natives of Mohan-Jo-Daro.
So, Sindhis have no alternate but to awake from long slumber and depend on themselves to achieve their due place in the national mainstream.
The beginning of the end of all stories would be to resettle at the feet of our own mother, who is languishing in the dingy cell of prison, ever since her own mother, the ‘Bharat Mata’ was assassinated in 1947. The place I indicate is the soil of Kutchh, adjoining our native land, who native inhabitants speak the language, which is the only dialect of Sindhi language. This is the place, where voice of river Sindh is audible. This is the place, where Sindhis can hear the voice of their enslaved mother. This is the only Sindhi speaking territory in entire partitioned India.
INDIAN SINDHIS AND NATIVE SINDH
We are Sindhis. Sindh is our Mother province, who gave us the name – Sindhi. We are dead, the moment we forget Sindh, treating her as alien land. If we want to be alive, we should never get detached from the roots. Mahatma Gandhi also has said this in following words, inscribed on the walls of Mahatma Gandhi’s native home at Porbandar :-
“Jab hum mool se juda hote hain, tab marte hain. Yeh nahin ki aatma se sharer juda hota hai tab”
No other people, with the sole exception of Indian Parsis, have ever accepted their exile so easily, so permanently, as we Sindhis have. Jews didn’t forget Jerusalem even after wilderness of four thousand years and ultimately succeeded in getting back their homeland of Jerusalem & Israel. Palestinians under the leadership of P.L.O and Yasser Arafat struggled to get their homeland back.
No mother can be alien to her sons, whether they live with her or live elsewhere. We Sindhis, whether we live in Sindh, or in other provinces of India, or live in other overseas countries, can never and should never forget our native Sindh.
It is a fact of history that we Sindhi Hindus have not accepted the partition by our hearts. It was thrust on us and there was no alternative but to suffer till opportune time. Fortunately, Sindhi Muslims also withdrew their recognition and fought for throwing the yoke of theocratic State of Pakistan, under the very leadership of G.M. Sayed, who incidentally, was the mover of Pakistan Resolution in Sindh Assembly.
Sindh sub-nation, consisting of Sindhi Muslims and Sindhi Hindus is, therefore, unanimously determined to remove the cruel effects of partition. The de-recognition of Pakistan ideology by Sindhi Muslims has removed the only irritant between Sindhi Hindus and Sindhi Muslims. We Indian Sindhis, must therefore endeavour to forget and forgive and should strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between two sets of Sindhis, forced by circumstances to live separately on either side of man made artificial political border. It is a fact that even now there exist communal elements in the Sindhi Muslims, but then Sindhi Hindus also have communal elements among them. It is however, the need of hour to ignore such negligible communal elements and strengthen the saner and secular predominant block, for the sake of sacred duty towards our native land Sindh.
It is relevant to mention that like us, they are also worried about the future of “Sindhiyat”. To keep alive the “Sindhiyat” would, therefore, be the common endeveour and common objective for the two sets of Sindhi people. With the passing away of older generation and adverse effect of non-Sindhi surroundings here, Indian Sindhis are fast loosing their grip over Sindhi language; Sindhi literature; Sindhi Art; Sindhi Culture; Sindhi way of life and other aspects of sindhiyat. People to people contacts by way of seminars, conferences, debates and arranged tours/pilgrimages etc. are bound to arrest this trend of loosing oneself; our face; our identity; our Sindhiyat. Their Sindhiyat is comparatively safer, as they have got the advantage of living in the lap of mother Sindh and their connection, with the roots is still intact. It is, therefore, vital and more advantageous for Indian Sindhis to refresh their memories by contacts with people of Sindh. We, Indian Sindhis, are therefore to take initiative and not to miss any opportunity for people to people contacts, cooperation and coordination in all fields.
Fortunately, we have got scholars like Dr. Satish Rohra and Lakhmi Khilani, who have established Institute of Sindhology in Adipur, which is bound to emerge as Sindhi University in course of time. They can start and maintain contacts with similar institutes of Sindh for better coordination and quick results. It is my earnest hope that such mutual cooperation and coordination between like minded Sindhi scholars and men of vision, would ultimately succeed in purifying our Sindhi language, which of late, has become out of Sindhi shape and naturality, with the unnecessary and extensive use of Hindi/Sanskrit words in this side and similar heavy use of Urdu/Persian/Arabic words on that side of the border. They say, they are enriching the language by such use. But the problem is that by such transformation, our language and literature is not easily understood by the masses there, and similarly their literature/language looks strange even to educated Sindhis here. Certainly such enrichment doesn’t bring the two sets of Sindhis nearer and hence it is despicable for larger objective in view.
Sindhi Women Forum “Marvi” of Veena Shringi in New Delhi is another organization which is doing commendable job of people to people contact by organizing literary seminars where literary figures on both sides of the artificial border, come in contact and enrich each other’s knowledge about our great national poets; Shah Abdul Latif, Sachal, Sami. This is bound to erase the bitter memories of black communal period of 1946-47. I would suggest that this organization should also start cooperation and coordination with the similar Sindhi women organization having similar name”Marvi forum” of Ershad Qamar, based in Karachi.
Akhil Bharat Sindhi Boli and Sahit Sabha and other all India literary organizations can similarly establish contacts with literary organizations of Sindh for better results in the objective of the enrichment of Sindhi literature.
If problems of Sindhis all over the world are to be solved and if Sindhi sub-nation is to regain its lost glory, we have to bring all public workers belonging to three sets of Sindhi people – Sindhis of Sindh, Sindhis of present Hind and overseas Sindhis on single powerful platform.
I am quite confident that we would be able to shed our individualistic approach; our personal egos; our ambitions and our old prejudices for the sake of wider cause of Sindhi unity, which is essential for the very survival and gradually regaining lost glory of Sindhis and their beloved native land Sindh.
“Jab hum mool se juda hote hain, tab marte hain. Yeh nahin ki aatma se sharer juda hota hai tab”
No other people, with the sole exception of Indian Parsis, have ever accepted their exile so easily, so permanently, as we Sindhis have. Jews didn’t forget Jerusalem even after wilderness of four thousand years and ultimately succeeded in getting back their homeland of Jerusalem & Israel. Palestinians under the leadership of P.L.O and Yasser Arafat struggled to get their homeland back.
No mother can be alien to her sons, whether they live with her or live elsewhere. We Sindhis, whether we live in Sindh, or in other provinces of India, or live in other overseas countries, can never and should never forget our native Sindh.
It is a fact of history that we Sindhi Hindus have not accepted the partition by our hearts. It was thrust on us and there was no alternative but to suffer till opportune time. Fortunately, Sindhi Muslims also withdrew their recognition and fought for throwing the yoke of theocratic State of Pakistan, under the very leadership of G.M. Sayed, who incidentally, was the mover of Pakistan Resolution in Sindh Assembly.
Sindh sub-nation, consisting of Sindhi Muslims and Sindhi Hindus is, therefore, unanimously determined to remove the cruel effects of partition. The de-recognition of Pakistan ideology by Sindhi Muslims has removed the only irritant between Sindhi Hindus and Sindhi Muslims. We Indian Sindhis, must therefore endeavour to forget and forgive and should strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between two sets of Sindhis, forced by circumstances to live separately on either side of man made artificial political border. It is a fact that even now there exist communal elements in the Sindhi Muslims, but then Sindhi Hindus also have communal elements among them. It is however, the need of hour to ignore such negligible communal elements and strengthen the saner and secular predominant block, for the sake of sacred duty towards our native land Sindh.
It is relevant to mention that like us, they are also worried about the future of “Sindhiyat”. To keep alive the “Sindhiyat” would, therefore, be the common endeveour and common objective for the two sets of Sindhi people. With the passing away of older generation and adverse effect of non-Sindhi surroundings here, Indian Sindhis are fast loosing their grip over Sindhi language; Sindhi literature; Sindhi Art; Sindhi Culture; Sindhi way of life and other aspects of sindhiyat. People to people contacts by way of seminars, conferences, debates and arranged tours/pilgrimages etc. are bound to arrest this trend of loosing oneself; our face; our identity; our Sindhiyat. Their Sindhiyat is comparatively safer, as they have got the advantage of living in the lap of mother Sindh and their connection, with the roots is still intact. It is, therefore, vital and more advantageous for Indian Sindhis to refresh their memories by contacts with people of Sindh. We, Indian Sindhis, are therefore to take initiative and not to miss any opportunity for people to people contacts, cooperation and coordination in all fields.
Fortunately, we have got scholars like Dr. Satish Rohra and Lakhmi Khilani, who have established Institute of Sindhology in Adipur, which is bound to emerge as Sindhi University in course of time. They can start and maintain contacts with similar institutes of Sindh for better coordination and quick results. It is my earnest hope that such mutual cooperation and coordination between like minded Sindhi scholars and men of vision, would ultimately succeed in purifying our Sindhi language, which of late, has become out of Sindhi shape and naturality, with the unnecessary and extensive use of Hindi/Sanskrit words in this side and similar heavy use of Urdu/Persian/Arabic words on that side of the border. They say, they are enriching the language by such use. But the problem is that by such transformation, our language and literature is not easily understood by the masses there, and similarly their literature/language looks strange even to educated Sindhis here. Certainly such enrichment doesn’t bring the two sets of Sindhis nearer and hence it is despicable for larger objective in view.
Sindhi Women Forum “Marvi” of Veena Shringi in New Delhi is another organization which is doing commendable job of people to people contact by organizing literary seminars where literary figures on both sides of the artificial border, come in contact and enrich each other’s knowledge about our great national poets; Shah Abdul Latif, Sachal, Sami. This is bound to erase the bitter memories of black communal period of 1946-47. I would suggest that this organization should also start cooperation and coordination with the similar Sindhi women organization having similar name”Marvi forum” of Ershad Qamar, based in Karachi.
Akhil Bharat Sindhi Boli and Sahit Sabha and other all India literary organizations can similarly establish contacts with literary organizations of Sindh for better results in the objective of the enrichment of Sindhi literature.
If problems of Sindhis all over the world are to be solved and if Sindhi sub-nation is to regain its lost glory, we have to bring all public workers belonging to three sets of Sindhi people – Sindhis of Sindh, Sindhis of present Hind and overseas Sindhis on single powerful platform.
I am quite confident that we would be able to shed our individualistic approach; our personal egos; our ambitions and our old prejudices for the sake of wider cause of Sindhi unity, which is essential for the very survival and gradually regaining lost glory of Sindhis and their beloved native land Sindh.
POLITICAL RIGHTS OF SINDHIS
All Indian Citizens, irrespective of cast, creed and nationality are equal, as far as political rights enshrined in the constitution are concerned.
But in actual practice, the Indian nationalities who have territorial base within present political boundaries of Indian Republic, are more equal than those who have no territorial base. Over Fifty lakh Indian Sindhis belong to this latter category of Indian nationalities.
Their scattered re-settlement after the tragic partition in 1947 has reduced them into a microscopic minority in every state and in every parliamentary constituency. They have therefore, become orphans as far as their political rights are concerned. Because they are unable to send their political representatives to democratic Institutions, whether it be village Panchayat, Muncipal Board, Zila Parishad, State assembly or Parliament.
Over a crore people are thus practically “Dead citizens” as far as Democratic life of the “Republic” is concerned.
“Government of people, for the people and by the people” the lofty definition of Democracy propounded by Abraham Lincoln has therefore no meaning what-so-ever, for these unfortunate Indian citizens, whose voice doesn’t reach the corridors of power. The present stateless disposition has crippled them so much that they are no better than “Zinda Lashes” – “Alive Corpses”.
Fifty Lakh Indian Sindhis can therefore play their full life-role in Indian polity, if, and only if they manage to have territorial base within Indian Union.
There are two other alternatives before them : One, to liberate their native Sindh. Two, to commit cultural suicide by submerging in the ocean of native cultures and loose their five thousand year old Sindhi Identity. But even this humiliating course in not easy and instant, if the experiment of Parsi people is any guide.
There is no other permanent solution towards the goal of achieving Political rights. Reservation of seats in Assemblies and parliament can only be an eye-wash and poor consolation.
The only effective alternate under the present circumstances is to merge with the “Identical” native identities of the people living in the territory comprising of four vast districts of Kutch, Jalore, Barmer and Jaisalmer. It is the sole compact landmass, where spoken language of the natives, according to eminent Linguistic experts, is the dialect of Sindhi language. It is therefore defacto Sindhi territorial base, whatever be the present political status.
But in actual practice, the Indian nationalities who have territorial base within present political boundaries of Indian Republic, are more equal than those who have no territorial base. Over Fifty lakh Indian Sindhis belong to this latter category of Indian nationalities.
Their scattered re-settlement after the tragic partition in 1947 has reduced them into a microscopic minority in every state and in every parliamentary constituency. They have therefore, become orphans as far as their political rights are concerned. Because they are unable to send their political representatives to democratic Institutions, whether it be village Panchayat, Muncipal Board, Zila Parishad, State assembly or Parliament.
Over a crore people are thus practically “Dead citizens” as far as Democratic life of the “Republic” is concerned.
“Government of people, for the people and by the people” the lofty definition of Democracy propounded by Abraham Lincoln has therefore no meaning what-so-ever, for these unfortunate Indian citizens, whose voice doesn’t reach the corridors of power. The present stateless disposition has crippled them so much that they are no better than “Zinda Lashes” – “Alive Corpses”.
Fifty Lakh Indian Sindhis can therefore play their full life-role in Indian polity, if, and only if they manage to have territorial base within Indian Union.
There are two other alternatives before them : One, to liberate their native Sindh. Two, to commit cultural suicide by submerging in the ocean of native cultures and loose their five thousand year old Sindhi Identity. But even this humiliating course in not easy and instant, if the experiment of Parsi people is any guide.
There is no other permanent solution towards the goal of achieving Political rights. Reservation of seats in Assemblies and parliament can only be an eye-wash and poor consolation.
The only effective alternate under the present circumstances is to merge with the “Identical” native identities of the people living in the territory comprising of four vast districts of Kutch, Jalore, Barmer and Jaisalmer. It is the sole compact landmass, where spoken language of the natives, according to eminent Linguistic experts, is the dialect of Sindhi language. It is therefore defacto Sindhi territorial base, whatever be the present political status.
INDIAN SINDHIS – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Over sixty two years ago, on a BLACK Fourteenth August, owing to dismemberment of United India and forcible conversion of sufi-secular Sindh into part of theocratic State of Pakistan, Sindhis were compelled to disperse and settle in every nook and corner of remaining Indian territory.
While leaving behind, their hearth and home in their Mother Province, Sindhis believed that new Indian Dominion would be a well knit entity, divided only into administrative units. They dreamt to be full members of an egalitarian Indian Society, where they would be equal partners to shape the destiny of new Indian nation, without distinction of origin, region, caste, creed and sub nationality.
But, alas, their hopes were shattered to pieces. With the creation of linguistic provinces, ‘MOTHER INDIA’ became ‘GRAND MOTHER INDIA’ – Assam, Bengal, Punjab, Gujrat etc. playing the role of MOTHERS of respective child communities residing there. In this sordid step of disunity (enthusiastically called Diversity), while every other national community got her mother, physically present, ‘Mother Sindh’ found her place only in National Anthem. Sindh child, thus became orphan for time indefinite. This was second time in single century, Sindhis stood betrayed.
In retrospect, during pre-independence period, Sindhis trusted national leadership for taking care of their interests. In fact, they never thought in terms of parochialism, regionalism and communalism. They considered themselves Indian first and Sindhis last. They could never foresee, even in their remotest thoughts, that this selfless idealism, would bring disastrous results in the form of truncated Independent India- throwing their own mother to wolves – their wholesale exile and slavery for their compatriots, left in Sindh.
Post – partition period i.e. past six decades, for Indian Sindhis narrates the unpublished story of their heroic struggle against all odds, struggle for resettlement – nay for existence with self respect intact. They started from scratch – homeless and penniless as they were.
Today, by the dint of sheer enterprise and miraculous business acumen, the Sindhi Community in India is one of the prosperous communities – yet homeless-motherless and isolated. They are earning millions worth Materialistic wealth, but loosing billions worth treasure of five thousand years old language, culture, literature and civilization. They are owners of skyscraper buildings, yet they are virtually paupers, as they have no land, which they can call their own, as, their home is, where they live. Sindhi Hindus now live in over 75 countries, yet they feel homeless like Palestinian Arabs, like Tibetans in India, in absence of any self governed territory.
But, what they can do to liberate their motherland. Being patriotic, they cannot do anything which may cause embarrassment to Indian National Leadership. They can only hope that one day, their unmatched sacrifices and selfless patriotism would be recognized and concrete steps would be taken to safeguard their linguistic, cultural, economic and political interests. This would be possible only when echo of their voice reaches in the corridors of power, through their representatives in various parliamentary forums like Municipal Corporations, Zila Parishad, State Assemblies, State Councils, Parliament and Cabinets. But, it is well…. nigh Impossible to send their representatives in good numbers, at-least in proportion to their population. Firstly, because Sindhis are scattered and secondly because of Indian Society being ridden with castism, communalism, parochialism and regionalism.
The only alternative is to accord it, the status of ‘National Minority’ and to reserve adequate seats in various parliamentary forums, in proportion to their population.
Besides, it may also be advisable to establish one Central Sindhi Assembly at any place having considerable Sindhi population, like Gandhidham (Gujrat), Ajmer (Rajasthan) or Ulhasnagar (Maharashtra). This assembly will be elected on the basis of adult franchise by the entire population of Indian Sindhi community, at the rate of one member per twenty five thousand Sindhi voters or part thereof. But unlike other State Assemblies, it will only be a sort of debating forum, passing resolutions, pertaining to entire gamut of problems faced by Sindhis – linguistic, cultural, economic, political etc., all over India. These resolutions would be forwarded to concerned governments, state and central, for implementation.
This arrangement although does not fulfill the legitimate aspirations of Sindhi community, but atleast, would give them a sense of participation in the democratic main stream of Indian Polity, from which it has been lying cut off, for all these years, since Independence. This would further consolidate the solidarity of Indian Nation.
While leaving behind, their hearth and home in their Mother Province, Sindhis believed that new Indian Dominion would be a well knit entity, divided only into administrative units. They dreamt to be full members of an egalitarian Indian Society, where they would be equal partners to shape the destiny of new Indian nation, without distinction of origin, region, caste, creed and sub nationality.
But, alas, their hopes were shattered to pieces. With the creation of linguistic provinces, ‘MOTHER INDIA’ became ‘GRAND MOTHER INDIA’ – Assam, Bengal, Punjab, Gujrat etc. playing the role of MOTHERS of respective child communities residing there. In this sordid step of disunity (enthusiastically called Diversity), while every other national community got her mother, physically present, ‘Mother Sindh’ found her place only in National Anthem. Sindh child, thus became orphan for time indefinite. This was second time in single century, Sindhis stood betrayed.
In retrospect, during pre-independence period, Sindhis trusted national leadership for taking care of their interests. In fact, they never thought in terms of parochialism, regionalism and communalism. They considered themselves Indian first and Sindhis last. They could never foresee, even in their remotest thoughts, that this selfless idealism, would bring disastrous results in the form of truncated Independent India- throwing their own mother to wolves – their wholesale exile and slavery for their compatriots, left in Sindh.
Post – partition period i.e. past six decades, for Indian Sindhis narrates the unpublished story of their heroic struggle against all odds, struggle for resettlement – nay for existence with self respect intact. They started from scratch – homeless and penniless as they were.
Today, by the dint of sheer enterprise and miraculous business acumen, the Sindhi Community in India is one of the prosperous communities – yet homeless-motherless and isolated. They are earning millions worth Materialistic wealth, but loosing billions worth treasure of five thousand years old language, culture, literature and civilization. They are owners of skyscraper buildings, yet they are virtually paupers, as they have no land, which they can call their own, as, their home is, where they live. Sindhi Hindus now live in over 75 countries, yet they feel homeless like Palestinian Arabs, like Tibetans in India, in absence of any self governed territory.
But, what they can do to liberate their motherland. Being patriotic, they cannot do anything which may cause embarrassment to Indian National Leadership. They can only hope that one day, their unmatched sacrifices and selfless patriotism would be recognized and concrete steps would be taken to safeguard their linguistic, cultural, economic and political interests. This would be possible only when echo of their voice reaches in the corridors of power, through their representatives in various parliamentary forums like Municipal Corporations, Zila Parishad, State Assemblies, State Councils, Parliament and Cabinets. But, it is well…. nigh Impossible to send their representatives in good numbers, at-least in proportion to their population. Firstly, because Sindhis are scattered and secondly because of Indian Society being ridden with castism, communalism, parochialism and regionalism.
The only alternative is to accord it, the status of ‘National Minority’ and to reserve adequate seats in various parliamentary forums, in proportion to their population.
Besides, it may also be advisable to establish one Central Sindhi Assembly at any place having considerable Sindhi population, like Gandhidham (Gujrat), Ajmer (Rajasthan) or Ulhasnagar (Maharashtra). This assembly will be elected on the basis of adult franchise by the entire population of Indian Sindhi community, at the rate of one member per twenty five thousand Sindhi voters or part thereof. But unlike other State Assemblies, it will only be a sort of debating forum, passing resolutions, pertaining to entire gamut of problems faced by Sindhis – linguistic, cultural, economic, political etc., all over India. These resolutions would be forwarded to concerned governments, state and central, for implementation.
This arrangement although does not fulfill the legitimate aspirations of Sindhi community, but atleast, would give them a sense of participation in the democratic main stream of Indian Polity, from which it has been lying cut off, for all these years, since Independence. This would further consolidate the solidarity of Indian Nation.
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