SINDHI CONSENSUS FOR SURVIVIAL

Due to rapid decline of the Sindhi education and adverse impact of the local majorities, Sindhis are fast loosing their SINDHIYAT and thereby their very identity.


Although, Global, Indian, provincial and city level Sindhi Organizations are trying their level best to save the SINDHIYAT, in their own way, yet these individual endeavours are totally inadequate. The need of the hour is therefore, Collective Action, by the joint forum of these organizations, which may also encompass, prominent Sindhi Intellectuals, visionaries, Social workers, capitalists and the political thinkers. This joint forum, May be a confederation, Federation or at least a Co-ordination committee.

The desired Sindhi unity shall require broad consensus over some such objectives, which may stir the Sindhi souls to electrify dormant sentiments of the Sindhi masses, so that people may be forced by their own conscience, to work & sacrifice for the cause of survival of the Sindhi Sub-nation.

Following are the objectives for the Sindhi consensus:-

First Objective:-

We shall never forget our Sindh and shall forge cordial brotherly relations, with the Sindhis of the Sindh.

Explanation:-

We Sindhis, have never accepted from, the core of our hearts, the decision to exclude Sindh from Indian Union. It was imposed on us, as fate accompli. The rulers of India and Pakistan have, therefore, to annul this decision, sooner or later – either by Re-unification like Germany, Vietnam and Yemen, or by constituting the “SAARC UNION” on the analogy of “EUROPEAN UNION”. Hence the above objective.

Second Objective:-

We shall establish all world/GLOBAL SINDHI UNITY FORUM.

Explanation:-

Geographically, there are three types of Sindhis – Indian Sindhis, Pakistani Sindhis and Non-Resident Sindhis (NRS). Since “SAVE SINDHIYAT” - our primary objective is equally applicable to all Sindhis, we shall need a forum, encompassing all the three types of the Sindhis. This forum would be representing Sindhi masses of the world and would raise our voice not only with the Central and provincial governments in India, but also in world forums, if & when such need arises.

Third Objective:-

We shall endeavour to achieve the goal of Sindhi Pradesh, within the present political boundaries of Indian Union, by peaceful & constitutional means.

Explanation:-

Injustice has been done to Sindhi Sub-nation, by denying Sindhi Pradesh, within the modified political boundaries of India, on the analogy of other two Sub-nations, Punjabis and Bengalis, affected similarly by the partition in 1947, who got such provinces.

This act of injustice, was repeated at the time of the re-organization of India in 1956 on linguistic basis and again in 1965, when entire Sindhi territory liberated by Indian Armed Forces, was given back to Pakistan, ignoring the Sindhi aspirations.

We could not raise our voice earlier, being deeply involved in rehabilitating ourselves, after we were uprooted and scattered throughout the length and breadth of India.

But, the demand for Sindhi Linguistic province, on the basis of equality and fair play is still justified and is VITAL for SINDHI SURVIVIAL.

In accordance with the basic principle enunciated by the State Re-organization commission 1956, de-facto Sindhi speaking province already exists, as per the book “Linguistic Survey of India” by Sir Grerson and the book “Destiny of Sindhis in India” by Late Uttam Thakur. We are to agitate only for the de-jure recognition.

The de-facto Sindhi Pradesh comprises of four districts of Jaisalmer, Barmer, Palanpur & Kachchh, bordering Sindh and few tehsils of Jalore district. The local language of this territory is Sindhi or some dialects of Sindhi language. Linguistic experts vouch that Kuchchhi, Datki, thari or Thareli are dialects of Sindhi language in the same way as Bhojpuri, Haryanvi etc are dialects of Hindi. More ever, forefathers of the majority of the inhabitants are the migrants from Sindh, who preferred migration than religion conversion or subjugation by Muslim rulers of Sindh.

It is true that even after de-jure recognition of the Sindhi Pradesh, not all Sindhis would leave their well settled establishments in other parts of India and re-settle in Sindhi Pradesh, but there is hardly any need for them to re-migrate. Examples of others are before us.

After the formation of ‘Punjabi Suba’, not all the Punjabis migrated there. All Bengalis don’t habitat in West Bengal or Bangladesh only. Not all Gujratis left Bombay to settle in newly formed State of Gujrat. Even after regaining of Israel, not all the Jews went to settle in new dispensation. More Marwaris are found, in places outside their province of Rajasthan.

Hence, Sindhis should rest assured that even after the formation of Sindhi Pradesh, they, normally, need not leave their present cities. Of course, in future, if leaders like Raj Thakre, posed any threat to us, then we would find ourselves more safe in our home province of Sindhi Pradesh. Therefore, far sightedness demands that we should adopt and mentally accept the de-facto Sindh Pradesh as our home.

Many of us still have misconception that there is acute dearth of water resources in Sindh Pradesh. The situation has greatly improved after the Rajasthan canal, Narmada barrage and de-salnisation schemes. Now there is no shortage of drinking water. Oil & natural gas has been found at some places and intensive drilling is continuing at other places. After the completion of successful drilling, this area would flourish like Dubai & other gulf states.

Some Sindhi personalities have been suggesting alternate locations for the Sindhi Pradesh, from time to time- Ulhasnagar, Ajmer, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman, Virgin Islands in Arabian Sea, some coastal places in Andhra Pradesh etc. On these locations, we can create Sindhi colonies and Sindhi cities, but not Sindhi linguistic State. Because linguistic province can be formed, only where hinterland comprising rural areas, is also habitat of similar linguistic people. This basic norm exists ONLY in the above mentioned Sindhi Pradesh and not even on the banks of our beloved river Sindh, flowing through Leh/Ladakh in the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir.

Suggestions:-

1. Although natives of the de-facto Sindhi Pradesh have linguistic, cultural & historical affinity with the post partition Sindhi migrants, but, while the former are simple living folks with rural background, the latter are highly urbanized & westernized in their lifestyle. This gap in living standard is to be narrowed down by economic development& by generating employment opportunities for the natives. For this extra Sindhi capital has to be diverted from other parts of India & the world. This will also enable us to win their hearts for necessary goodwill as well as cooperation, so essential for our goal of Sindhi Pradesh.

2. To start with, All Sindhi organizations and educational, spiritual, social Sindhi institutions should open their branches, for intensive constructive work for the masses of the de-facto Sindhi Pradesh.

3. The MOVEMENT for Sindhi Pradesh must SHUN the publicity smelling JINGOISM.

Fourth Objective:-

We shall endeavour to complete the unfinished task of Late Bhai Pratap, in the only de-jure Sindhi city, falling within the territorial jurisdiction of De-facto Sindhi Pradesh.

Explanation:-

On the advice of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel, around Fifteen thousand square miles of coastal land was given to the post-partition Sindhi migrants for their resettlement, after due legal formalities by the then ruler of the princely State of Kuchchh. In this territory, Sindhi City comprising Kandla-Adipur-Gandhidham complex was developed by the “Sindh resettlement Corporation Ltd.” Under the pioneering leadership of the Sindhi visionary Late Bhai Pratap, by clearing the dense forest using Sindhi toil, sweat and blood.

This Sindhidham has attracted many Sindhis for settlement. But even today many plots are vacant. Any delay, would pave the way for Marwaris, Gujratis and other nationalities, to purchase these plots. We Sindhis then would be reduced to minority in our own city and posterity would never forgive us, for this shortsightedness. This city is also vital for our goal of Sindhi Pradesh.

Suggestions:-

1. We should not be misled by false rumours spread by vested interests that this scheme initiated by late Bhai Pratap has failed miserably and should take vigorous measures on top priority for completing the process of resettlement.

2. Gujrat & Maharashtra are well connected with this Sindhi city by road, rail, air & sea transport, hence Sindhis of these two provinces are specially suited for the task of resettlement. There are plenty of Sindhis below poverty line, in these two provinces, even today, who would be too glad to improve their lot by starting a new life, if assured of proper livelihood.

Prominent Real estate Sindhi wizards of these two provinces can be persuaded to earmark a portion of their development schemes on No Profit – No Loss basis, for the broader cause of Sindhi sub-nation. They can purchase these vacant plots in Sindhi city & construct houses on affordable instalments for the settlement of prospective Sindhi poor settlers from these provinces.

Some of the Sindhi capitalists of India & abroad can similarly be persuaded to invest a portion of their surplus wealth there, for providing employment to these settlers.