Aims And Objects of (JSQM) Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz
Aims And Objects of (JSMM) Jeay Sindh Muthda Muhaz
Aims And Object of (JST) Jeay Sindh Tahreek
Aims And Object of (JSQM Aresar) Jeay Sindh |Qaumi Mahaz
Some Book, Article And etc
Some books of Sain G M Syed
Religion and Reality
The Case of Sindh
Shah Latif and His Message
A Nation in Chains
Sindhudesh
Some Articles on Sain G M Syed
6th April 1995 - A Flower that fades - Daily Barsat Editorial
16th April 1995 - G M Syed - Daily Dawn Editorial
26th April 1995 - Syed : The great man of Sindh - Yusuf Haroon - Dawn
26th April 1995 - G M Syed - The News Editorial
26th April 1995 - The Death of an Era - Daily Jago Editorial
Human Rights International Press Conference and Statements on Death in Custody for G M Syed (1995)
"G. M. Syed's Vision On Status Of Sindhi Hindus" by Dr. Niranjan Dudani
January 2004 - Reflections of Dr Ahmed Makhdoom
Some Articles on Sain G M Syed
6th April 1995 - A Flower that fades - Daily Barsat Editorial
16th April 1995 - G M Syed - Daily Dawn Editorial
26th April 1995 - Syed : The great man of Sindh - Yusuf Haroon - Dawn
26th April 1995 - G M Syed - The News Editorial
26th April 1995 - The Death of an Era - Daily Jago Editorial
Human Rights International Press Conference and Statements on Death in Custody for G M Syed (1995)
"G. M. Syed's Vision On Status Of Sindhi Hindus" by Dr. Niranjan Dudani
January 2004 - Reflections of Dr Ahmed Makhdoom
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people, Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law, Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations, Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge, Now, therefore, The General Assembly, Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article I
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11
1. Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
2. No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.
2. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14
1. Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
2. This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15
1. Everyone has the right to a nationality.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16
1. Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
2. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
3. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17
1. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
2. No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21
1 . Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
2. Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country.
3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23
1. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
2. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
3. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
4. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25
1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26
1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27
1. Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29
1. Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
2. In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
3. These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
An introduction of Sain G M Syed
The full name of Mr.G.M Syed is Ghulam Murtaza Syed.
He is the son of late Syed Mohammad Shah Kazmi and the descendant of a famous saint of Sindh.Syed Haider Shah Kazmi, of whose mausoleum he is the Sajjada-nashin. He was born at village of Sann in Dadu district of Sindh, on january 17,1904. His father passed away when he was only sixteen months old.
He had no schooling at all.Whatever he learnt, that was self-tutored. However, by dint of hard work, he attained mastery over Sindhi and English languages.Similarly, he is in full command of the Urdu language which, though not his mother tongue, has often been a vehicle of the expression of his ideas.Mr. Syed is also conversant with Arabic and Persian languages. He has also been closely attached with history,philosophy and political science. Short statured and slender in figure, Mr. Syed wields the greatest weight of his personality.
At an early age of fourteen years, he started his career as a politician.In 1919, he became the President of Local Board of his own Tehsil. Subsequently, he was elected Vice President of Karachi District Local Board. In 1929, he became the President of Karachi District Local Board.
In 1930, he organized the Hari Conference and became its Secretary.
In 1937, he was for the first time elected a member of Sindh Legislative Assembly.
In 1938, he joined the All-India Muslim League.
In 1940, he became the Minister of Education in Sindh.
In 1941, he became one of the members of the Muslim League.
In 1943, he became the President of Sindh Muslim League.
In 1944, he played the pivotal role and got the resolution passed in the Sindh Assembly in favour of Pakistan.It was the pioneer resolution of its kind in the whole length and breath of undivided India.
In 1946, condition compelled him to disassociate from the Muslim League.He created a new party named Progressive Muslim League. The same year he was elected as leader to the Coalition Party in Sindh Assembly.
In 1954, he acted as the Chairman of Sindhi Adabi Board.
In 1955, he played an active part in the formation of Pakistan National Party.
In 1966, he founded the Soofis' Society in Sindh.
In 1969, he formed Sindh United Front.But after being disappointed from national politics in 1971, he founded the"Jeay Sindh"Movement which is known as a movement to achieve"Sindhu Desh".
Mr. Syed is the auther of more than sixty books. His books are on numerous subjects, ranging from literature to politics, religionand culture etc.
Himself a mystic, Mr. Syed has a lot of love and regards for the mystics.It is but for their services that Islam thrived.
In addition to Soofis, he has always held in high esteem the learned men, the literacy and the poets.
Besides being a man of immense learning, Mr.Syed possesses a personality which is graceful and poised.He is highly cultured and refined in his manners. Hospitality and geniality are the glaring tracks of his personage.
Wit and humour are the key-notes of his personality.
He loves and respects even those who look at things from a different angle or through different glasses.
For decades, Sindh has been the centre where the whole of his love and energy are concentrated. For a long time,his ambition has been to secure a rightful place for Sindh.
Mr. G.M. Syed is father of "JEAY SINDH" Movement which is known as a movement to achieve SINDHU DESH.
For the bold assertion of his ideas,after the creation of Pakistan, he has been kept either in jail or in solitary confinement for the period of more than 30 years.
* Sain GM Syed died in 25th April 1995.
An Interview Of Sain G M Syed
An Interview Of Sain G M Syed
Thanks to Shri Jhamatmal Wadhwani's call from Bombay on Saturday morning, July 4, 1987, about a dozen of us, including some ladies, were able to greet G.M. Syed, the Grand Old Man of Sindh, at Palam. He was accompanied by his son Imdad, PA and his Secretary, Allar Soomar Thebo.
We even managed a quick bouquet. Syed looked pleased to be received by Sindhis.
There was nobody from the government side to receive him. We drove him to Kanishka Hotel and introduced ourselves to him. Here he was received as a state guest and a car was put at his disposal.
He wanted to see Badshah Khan as soon as possible. We rang, up Yunus' residence and were told to come straight away, Syed was helped into his special shoes, and then another call came, suggesting, the meeting at 6 PM, "when AIR and TV men will also be there." When I went to see him in the evening, I was told by Allar that Badshah Khan had suffered a stroke and that the Prime Minster had rushed him to All India Medical Institute. Syed had already gone to AIMS and now Allar and I also went there.
Later that evening I took them to a nice Sindhi cultural show at Kamani Hall. He was welcomed and garlanded and he made appropriate remarks. The following day I contacted several editors; most of them took special interviews and published them. I also arranged kuldip's and BBC interviews for him. Sindh received more coverage in the Indian Press in July 1987 than ever before or after. AIR approached Syed Sahib for an interview to be beamed to Sindh. I was asked to do the interviewing. I drafted 15 questions for him and he prepared the answers, which he later read out in the studio. I suggested to the AIR Director that he should also be interviewed in Hindi and English for the Indian public.
The Director asked me to repeat the first five questions in English-to be broadcast by our External Services. That AIR should broadcast his views on freedom of Sindh and confederation of Sindh with India, was a pleasant surprise for me. On his second day in Delhi, Nari Thadhani held a reception for him at his Mayfair residence. It was a top class catering, of about sixty, attended, among others, by Ram Nao-rani, Anand Hingorani, Sevakram, Asrani (Joint Secy, Ministry of External Affairs). Shanti Hiranand gave beautiful Sindhi music. Everybody introduced himself/herself at some length. Syed spoke briefly and answered questions. It was a very y pleasant evening. Lal Advani came and saw Syed, who was delighted. Two days later, on July10, Lal brought Dandawate, Upendra, Unnikrishnan and Dipen Goswami, leading MPs, to see him. They suggested another meeting- with more MPs.The following day Balkavi Vairagi, Congress MP, came to see him. They suggested a larger MPs' audience for him. Later Balkavi told me that Moopanar had suggested MPs seeing him in small groups. He said he would speak to Jakhar, for a bigger meet of MPs. However, the Presidential poll was on and I left for Nagpur, and so this bigger MPs' meet did not materialize. Syed was sorry that there was no photographer around when Advani came; he was also sorry, not to be able to pay a return visit to Lal because of the latter's preoccupation. I took Prof. Rajendra Singh of RSS, to see him. Syed chatted with him and presented him a copy of his 'Religion, a Reality'. The Freedom Fighters Organization held a special reception for him at Vithalbhai Patel House on July 10. It was a nice big function. Here I saw Nirmala Deshpande (who used to be Vinoba's intermediary with Indira).
She was keen to meet Syed. The following day I arranged a special interview for her. Bahuguna came and saw him-with a photographer! Syed was honoured by Sindhu Samaj at Sindhu Bhavan, Rajendranagar, on July 8. There was music by Kan Motihar, speech by Syed, questions and answers, more music. Some people started dancing. Many offered "Ghor". It was a delightful function, attended by about one hundred. He was presented a silk dupatta. I asked some Seths of Subzi Mandi to see him on July 7. It was a small but warm group. Some of them asked him if a certain 'Marhi' in Rohri had been burnt. He said people had gone mad; one of them went and burnt the Koran in the local masjid in his ancestral Sann. When asked what he was doing, the man said he was lighting one more Lamp! Syed added that when refugees attacked some Hindu shops and houses in reaction to Meerut, Sindhi youths came out and shooed the rioters away. Since then, those properties had been repaired. The meet ended with a prayerful "palao paayo". The PM met Syed. I asked him how the meeting went. He said he had spoken for one hour but Rajiv did not utter one word. It is not clear whether Rajiv does not know anything about the Sindh problem or he didn't want to commit himself to anything. He said Rajiv was late from his meeting with Opposition leaders. He was very tired. Syed suggested meeting him some other time, but Rajiv said he'd be alright after he had washed his eyes. And so the meeting, continued.
The Bar Association of the Supreme Court invited him. About one hundred lawyers attended. They presented him a nice sandal-wood garland, which I persuaded Syed to take home. When I returned from Nagpur and called on him on 16th morning, I found Narendra Kumar of Vikas publications with him. He had come to invite him to do a book on Sindh - following 2 Vikas books by Wali Khan, then in the press. Syed suggested that his latest book in Sindhi, "Pakistan Should Now Break Up" should be translated in English and published. Narendra said it was only a pamphlet. I suggested that somebody should read all his books (52 written; only 35 of these published - some of them proscribed) and then collate, edit and produce an old - new book. Syed said I should do this. His secretary said they'll consult Kirat Babani and let me know. There that matter rested.The following day he was leaving. I invited him to dinner. We were about fifteen.
Nana Deshmukh also attended. Here we presented him a shawl. The following day we saw him off. We were three-Acharya Bhagvandev, Chaturvedi, MP, convener of AICC's Foreign Cell, asked by the
PM to seehim off, and myself.
On July 16, he asked for Mira and Kabir songs in Arabic script. I was not able be get them.
I hope he got them in Bombay. He also wanted Nimano Faqir's compilation of Sachal (Baroda).
I could not arrange that either.
I asked him if he would like to have Ramayana and Mababharat, and he said he already had them.
One day I must have said 'Hari Om' etc. He asked me what 'Hari' meant. I told him it was a name of 'Krishna', since 'haran' meant 'to steal', and child Krishna had stolen butter. He asked for other names of
Krishna and I told him some. On another occasion he asked Nanaji how many names Krishna had and he was told he had one thousand names.More than once I heard him say he believed in life after death.
I asked him how he reconciled that with the concept of 'Qiamat' and he said there were many cycles of life and death before Qiamat. He had brought 3 tapes of Sindhi patriotic songs.
Nari got several copies of these made, which Syed gave to AIR, Shanti Hiranand, myself and some others.
Anand Hingorani said to him in good humour : "I have come to protest. You had moved the resolution in favour of Partition in the Sindh Assembly.You are responsible for our leaving Sind." Syed said: "I plead guilty. But even a murderer gets only 20 years; I have already suffered 22 years."
I met him morning and evening and put him many questions. In the beginning, Syed used to say he was against democracy. He said this because, democratically, Punjabis out-numbered all others in Pakistan. I told him his opposition to "democracy" will be misunderstood.
I suggested to him that he should say that Freedom (of Sindh) must come first; only then there can be true democracy. He did not oppose 'democracy', as such, after that.
Here are some of the other questions I put him - and his answers:
A. We expected the Congress to help us enact laws to protect the peasantry. When Congress did not help us, we felt frustrated and joined the League. (The expectation was unrealistic because most of the MLAs, both Hindu and Muslim, were Zamindars.)
Q. Why did you leave the League?
A. Even when I was in the League, I had maintained relations with Congress leaders. When Congress adopted the Quit India resolution, Jinnah called a meeting of the League Working, Committee. Here Jinnah moved a resolution, saying that the 'Quit India resolution was directed against Muslims, and not against the British. I spoke against this resolution, and so did some others but Jinnah said he had given word to the British, never to come to terms with the Congress. Therefore, this resolution must be adopted. While other critics fell silent, I insisted on my vote of dissent being recorded. It is still there. I began to feel more and more that Jinnah was serving British interests and not Muslim interests. I, therefore, left the League in 1945.
Q. Was Khuhro responsible for the murder of Allah Bux? In Gandhiji's 'Complete Works', there are references to Khuhro being defended by Bhulabhai Desai.
A. Is that so? Can you give me those references? (The same were given to Syed). Actually Allah Bux and Bhagat Kanwar Ram and Pamnani were all murdered by Janu Jalbani, a fanatical follower of the Pir of Bhirchundi. The Pir had converted some Hindu boys. At the instance of some people, these converts were taken out in procession in Sukkur. The Hindus of Sukkur resented this, and beat up the son of Bhirchundi. The Pir's followers took this as an insult to the Pir and these murders followed.
Q. Why are you more opposed to Bhutto than to Zia?
A. When a Bhutto is in power, people get a false sense of power and democracy. Actually it is Punjabis who move the strings of Bhutto orhis daughter. When, on the other hand, a Zia is in power, people see it as a Punjabi, and an Army-man, in power. I consider veiled Punjabi rule more dangerous than an open one, because it hides facts and deceives the people. I am interested in change of system-from a centralized Pakistan to a confederal one-and not just a change of rulers-from Zia to Benazir.
Q. Why, you think, Zia let you come?
A. I do not know. When I was ailing last year, Badshah. Khan had come tosee me in Sann. When, therefore, he fell ill, I wanted to come and see him. I wrote to the Government of Pakistan. They took 20 days to reply to my application.
I had not expected an okay, and I was pleasantly surprised. One reason could be that they expect me to speak out here-and they plan to punish me for that when I return to Sindh. Fact, however, is that I speak more in Sindh than I do here. Another reason could be that they have nothing against me. What t say, I say publicly, and I have been saying it for years. I am a man of non-violence.
Sindhi youths are impatient. They think I am weak. But I know that if there is a physical confrontation, we will be crushed. Gen. Tikka Khan is saying that they want Sindh, and not Sindhis. Nasrullah is another Punjabi fantatic. Ex-Air Marshal Asghar speaks the same language.
Q. Zia called on you when you broke your leg.
A. Yes, he did-in Karachi. And he said he will call on me in my native Sann also. But he has not. And you know why? Half a dozen Punjabi women demonstrated outside his residence,-urging him not to see an "enemy of Pakistan like G.M. Syed. " Such is the power of public opinion. That is why I want Sindhis in Delhi etc. to demonstrate against Pakistan embassy, when they harass us. That will create world opinion agai nst Pakistan-and encourage Sindhi nationalists in their struggle. Syed Saheb also recollected an interesting experience with Gandhi. It was sometime in 1945. Gandhiji was staying in Bhangi Colony. Syed, Maula Bux and Bhurgri Jr. went to see him early in the morning. Gandhiji had already had his prayer etc. Maula Bux said they wanted to speak to him all alone. Gandhiji said, "There will be nobody else here, except God. "After the talk, Bhurgri went to see Jinnah, who had been a dear friend of his father-who had been Congress General Secretary, when Dr. Annie. Besant was Congress President-and whom he addressed as 'Uncle'. He found the outer gate locked. From inside, he was greeted by a barking dog.
When he told the durban that Jinnah was his 'Chacha', he was told that or no Chacha, he could not see him, as he had no appointment. Syed said, Bhurgri came back and said: "'Kafir' Gandhi had taken his bath and said his 'namaz' (prayer), but 'Momen' Uncle Jinnah was still asleep, with only his dog to greet you." Syed was a Sufi; but he was also very much of a Theosophist. Many of his friends were members of Theosophical Lodge, Karachi. They included Jethmal Parsram, Jamshed, Tahilramani, PM Advani (of Karachi's School for the Blind). One of his frequent callers in Delhi was Ann (full name, Anandamai Advani) daughter of PM Advani, working with Tourism Department. He told her jocularly that her father and he were both fond of Ruki, who eventually married PM. When asked why he failed, he said it was too bad, he was already married.
Syed had particularly fond memories of Jethi Sipahimalani. He had prepared a book on her life and collected her letters to him. It is yet to be published.
He told me a few anecdotes of Jethi
1. "One day Jethi, Jethrnal, Abdul Majid and I were sitting together. In the arcument that followed, I was cornered. Jethi turned to me and said 'you are surrounded by three Jethas', (Jeshtha, big one). Sheikh Abdul Majid's original name was Jethanand!
2. "On another occasion I happened to shed tears over something. And Jethi said: "Syeds are a weepy lot". I said "How?" And quick camethe retort: "Don't you beat your breasts every year, crying Ya Ali! Ya Hussain!"
3. "On a third occasion, many of us were sitting with Khuhro, then CM. We were all taking tea, but Jethi did not touch anything. When Khuhroasked her why, she said she could not forget that he had been accused of murdering Allah Bux. Khuhro told her that even Allah Bux's son and brother met him and dined with him. Jethi told her, min could be hard-hearted; they could be 'Dodo Chanesars' (who had betrayed Sindh to Allauddin Khilji); but not she! "He said Jethi had written to him, not to leave Sindh out of disgust, and come over to India. "Sentimentality", she wrote, "won't do. We have no 'izzat' here." Syed said that when Partition was announced, Kripalani had come to Sindh. "We were all sitting in Bhai Pratap's house. Abdul Majid wondered what had gone wrong. And Kripalani said we had unleashed forces that we could not control."
A. Even when I was in the League, I had maintained relations with Congress leaders. When Congress adopted the Quit India resolution, Jinnah called a meeting of the League Working, Committee. Here Jinnah moved a resolution, saying that the 'Quit India resolution was directed against Muslims, and not against the British. I spoke against this resolution, and so did some others but Jinnah said he had given word to the British, never to come to terms with the Congress. Therefore, this resolution must be adopted. While other critics fell silent, I insisted on my vote of dissent being recorded. It is still there. I began to feel more and more that Jinnah was serving British interests and not Muslim interests. I, therefore, left the League in 1945.
Q. Was Khuhro responsible for the murder of Allah Bux? In Gandhiji's 'Complete Works', there are references to Khuhro being defended by Bhulabhai Desai.
A. Is that so? Can you give me those references? (The same were given to Syed). Actually Allah Bux and Bhagat Kanwar Ram and Pamnani were all murdered by Janu Jalbani, a fanatical follower of the Pir of Bhirchundi. The Pir had converted some Hindu boys. At the instance of some people, these converts were taken out in procession in Sukkur. The Hindus of Sukkur resented this, and beat up the son of Bhirchundi. The Pir's followers took this as an insult to the Pir and these murders followed.
Q. Why are you more opposed to Bhutto than to Zia?
A. When a Bhutto is in power, people get a false sense of power and democracy. Actually it is Punjabis who move the strings of Bhutto orhis daughter. When, on the other hand, a Zia is in power, people see it as a Punjabi, and an Army-man, in power. I consider veiled Punjabi rule more dangerous than an open one, because it hides facts and deceives the people. I am interested in change of system-from a centralized Pakistan to a confederal one-and not just a change of rulers-from Zia to Benazir.
Q. Why, you think, Zia let you come?
A. I do not know. When I was ailing last year, Badshah. Khan had come tosee me in Sann. When, therefore, he fell ill, I wanted to come and see him. I wrote to the Government of Pakistan. They took 20 days to reply to my application.
I had not expected an okay, and I was pleasantly surprised. One reason could be that they expect me to speak out here-and they plan to punish me for that when I return to Sindh. Fact, however, is that I speak more in Sindh than I do here. Another reason could be that they have nothing against me. What t say, I say publicly, and I have been saying it for years. I am a man of non-violence.
Sindhi youths are impatient. They think I am weak. But I know that if there is a physical confrontation, we will be crushed. Gen. Tikka Khan is saying that they want Sindh, and not Sindhis. Nasrullah is another Punjabi fantatic. Ex-Air Marshal Asghar speaks the same language.
Q. Zia called on you when you broke your leg.
A. Yes, he did-in Karachi. And he said he will call on me in my native Sann also. But he has not. And you know why? Half a dozen Punjabi women demonstrated outside his residence,-urging him not to see an "enemy of Pakistan like G.M. Syed. " Such is the power of public opinion. That is why I want Sindhis in Delhi etc. to demonstrate against Pakistan embassy, when they harass us. That will create world opinion agai nst Pakistan-and encourage Sindhi nationalists in their struggle. Syed Saheb also recollected an interesting experience with Gandhi. It was sometime in 1945. Gandhiji was staying in Bhangi Colony. Syed, Maula Bux and Bhurgri Jr. went to see him early in the morning. Gandhiji had already had his prayer etc. Maula Bux said they wanted to speak to him all alone. Gandhiji said, "There will be nobody else here, except God. "After the talk, Bhurgri went to see Jinnah, who had been a dear friend of his father-who had been Congress General Secretary, when Dr. Annie. Besant was Congress President-and whom he addressed as 'Uncle'. He found the outer gate locked. From inside, he was greeted by a barking dog.
When he told the durban that Jinnah was his 'Chacha', he was told that or no Chacha, he could not see him, as he had no appointment. Syed said, Bhurgri came back and said: "'Kafir' Gandhi had taken his bath and said his 'namaz' (prayer), but 'Momen' Uncle Jinnah was still asleep, with only his dog to greet you." Syed was a Sufi; but he was also very much of a Theosophist. Many of his friends were members of Theosophical Lodge, Karachi. They included Jethmal Parsram, Jamshed, Tahilramani, PM Advani (of Karachi's School for the Blind). One of his frequent callers in Delhi was Ann (full name, Anandamai Advani) daughter of PM Advani, working with Tourism Department. He told her jocularly that her father and he were both fond of Ruki, who eventually married PM. When asked why he failed, he said it was too bad, he was already married.
Syed had particularly fond memories of Jethi Sipahimalani. He had prepared a book on her life and collected her letters to him. It is yet to be published.
He told me a few anecdotes of Jethi
1. "One day Jethi, Jethrnal, Abdul Majid and I were sitting together. In the arcument that followed, I was cornered. Jethi turned to me and said 'you are surrounded by three Jethas', (Jeshtha, big one). Sheikh Abdul Majid's original name was Jethanand!
2. "On another occasion I happened to shed tears over something. And Jethi said: "Syeds are a weepy lot". I said "How?" And quick camethe retort: "Don't you beat your breasts every year, crying Ya Ali! Ya Hussain!"
3. "On a third occasion, many of us were sitting with Khuhro, then CM. We were all taking tea, but Jethi did not touch anything. When Khuhroasked her why, she said she could not forget that he had been accused of murdering Allah Bux. Khuhro told her that even Allah Bux's son and brother met him and dined with him. Jethi told her, min could be hard-hearted; they could be 'Dodo Chanesars' (who had betrayed Sindh to Allauddin Khilji); but not she! "He said Jethi had written to him, not to leave Sindh out of disgust, and come over to India. "Sentimentality", she wrote, "won't do. We have no 'izzat' here." Syed said that when Partition was announced, Kripalani had come to Sindh. "We were all sitting in Bhai Pratap's house. Abdul Majid wondered what had gone wrong. And Kripalani said we had unleashed forces that we could not control."
An Interview with JSQM Chairman Bashir Khan Qureshi
BKQ: The illegal outsiders have deliberately been allowed to settle in Sindh under a pre-planned conspiracy to turn Sindhis into minority in order to facilitate exploitation of Sindhis. We (Jeay Sindh Quami Mahaz) are ready to accept such outsiders who were settled here up to the year 1954 only. As such who came later on, they are not acceptable to us and they have to vacate our soil one day. In addition to the outsiders, people of NWFP and Punjab have been deliberately allowed to settle here in large groups with a purpose to occupy the jobs opportunities of Sindh.
Therefore, locals have been made victim of unemployment. The unemployment and backwardness both have compelled people of Sindh to live their lives below the internationally recognized line of poverty. Also responsible for such situation is influx of people of other areas (provinces) and foreigners in Sindh because Sindh has been turned by Pakistan, in other words, Punjabis into 'International Orphanage'. No other country in the world allows illegal immigrants to settle in their own country but this is perhaps the only "Country of Punjabis"
(Pakistan) in which there are no restrictions on illegal persons to settle here particularly in Sindh. Thus a bad impression is being
created against Sindhis on international level that they (Sindhis) are fundamentalists with the purpose to damage our image & also
culture and civilization of Sindhis. In fact it is incorrect to say that Sindhis are fundamentalists. We want to clarify to the world that Sindhis believe in the messages and thinkings of Shah Lateef, Sachal and Saami of Sindh. To create their bad name (of Sindhis), organizations like MMA (Majlis-e-Amal) has been given free hand in Karachi and thus extremists of the world have joined their hands which is set back to the 'Sufism'. For the reasons mentioned here, the settlement of illegal persons be checked in Sindh forthwith otherwise it would have serious consequences.
Sindh Today: Pakistan Government has requested 'International donors' for 33 billion dollars for the construction of proposed six dams. What are your comments?
BKQ: I appeal to the 'International Donors' through "Sindh Today" and also at my own that on one hand, you want to invest millions of dollars for the abolition of pollution through out the world but on the other hand you offer to donate big amount to Pakistan alias Punjab to construct large dams with purpose to store water of 'Sindh country' which would finally destroy not only water reservoirs but also forests of Sindh. We want to clarify to concerned world organizations that high-level injustices are being made to the small nations constituting Pakistan particularly Sindh. For example, in Punjab, Chashma - Jehlum Link Flood Canal was constructed in the year 1970 with the clear understanding that water in the Canal would only be released during the flood season but later water released for the whole of the year.
Thal canal is now being constructed in Punjab, under the umbrella of "Punjabi Army" forcibly. British Rulers had already rejected the construction of the Canal when proposal of Punjab was presented to them. The British Rulers by upholding the objections of Sindh rejected the whole proposal. Now Punjab is forcibly implementing the project, which was already rejected by the British authorities 100 years back. Nevertheless, the Federation alias Punjab has refused to honour the unanimously passed Sindh Assembly's resolution to
stop the construction of controversial Thal Canal. The completion of the project would bring additional 20 lakhs of acres land of retired as well as serving army personnel to cultivation but it would also ruin further 40 lakhs of cultivated agriculture land in Sindh as release of water from Indus delta to sea, to check its intrusion, is already nominal.
Non-release of water through Indus into sea resulted in ruination of mangrove forests on one hand and cultivated agriculture land and thousands of human settlements near coastal areas on the other. Due to high tides, people in large number were uprooted. If this situation prevails, Sindh one day would be turned into desert. We would be compelled to think that such "International organizations are joining hands with Punjabis for the genocide of Sindhis. We, therefore, appeal to the "International organizationsÔ including experts on environment to send their study teams here. They should personally visit Sindh for survey and prepare an impartial study report and help get complete emancipation from the oppressor Punjabi nation.
Sindh Today: What are your comments on NFC Award?
BKQ: No where in the world, natural resources are being distributed on the basis of population but in Pakistan, these are being distributed forcibly on the population basis. This, we have never accept earlier nor we intend to do so in future. Sindh is contributing 70 per cent towards national pool of Pakistan. However, Sindh is being punished for nothing. We want the distribution of national resources be made on the basis of revenue generation but Punjab on the basis of highhandedness and power has been getting distribution on population-basis. You will be amazed to note that no where in the world, it is done that if goods are landed at the sea port then the taxes/tariffs are collected on the unnatural man-made Dry Port. Such dry ports exist no where in the would except in Punjab (Pakistan).
The Dry Ports are collecting the taxes despite it is right of Sindh to collect all related taxes/tariffs but it is being denied. Meanwhile, dacoits have deliberately been harboured here with a view to paying the salaries and other remuneration to Rangers and other Forces from Sindh treasury in order to maximize the loot of Sindh. Now they have not left any Department/Organization in Sindh where there is no Intermediate pass retired or serving Colonels/Generals is not working.
Thus thousands of army personnel have been imposed. As such, they are plundering the resources of Sindh with both hands. They are tax-exempted. Now half of the Units (industries) are in the hands of those persons (owners) who have earned "Black Money" and the rest would also be handed over to their own favorites (Gumaashtas) very soon where the job opportunities for Sindhis are being denied. Now the Sindhis are in deep crisis. Although lakhs of Sindhis are wandering here and there by holding educational degrees in their hands for search of jobs but preference is being given to the "Punjabis of Punjab" which is clear injustices to Sindhis. Subsequently, Sindhis are passing through the critical era and we denounce the situation.
Sindh Today: What extent Sindh is being benefited from the oil discovered in Sindh?
BKQ: Sindh is not getting any benefit from the oil discovery. On the contrary Sindh is suffering losses for the simple reasons that on the one hand the mineral resources of Sindh are being reduced but on the other hand the sons of soil are not getting any benefit or facility from it. Let us talk about oil. The oil is discovered in Sindh but refinery is being set up in Punjab. Similarly, Gas deposits are found in Sindh and Balochistan but priority in supply of Gas is being given to Punjab and NWFP. Nevertheless, the people of Sindh and Balochistan where gas deposits are originally found are still utilizing dung and fire-woods. Every big or small towns of Punjab is being benefited from this. Different products including food-items are available on lower rates in Punjab but the items of same quality are provided in Sindh on double (higher) rates. Similarly, Punjab is obtaining oil from Sindh and after the refining at its Oil Refinery, Multan is reselling to Sindh almost on double rates. Oil is discovered in Sindh but royalty is not being paid to Sindh. No facilities are being provided to the residents of area where oil is discovered. Instead they have been compelled to migrate with out any proper compensation. The jobs at Oil Fields are being provided to people belonging to Punjab and the local people who are Sindhis, are being refused the jobs with insulting attitude, in all fields. Oil Company, which was engaged in oil discovery activities in Khirthar area (Sindh), had shot dead a Sindhi who, among others, staging a demonstration for jobs to locals and other got injured. It was pity that no case was registered against the authorities of Oil Company because they (killers) were from Punjab. There are so many incidents happening here but 'world consciousness' is not taking note of it. We want to point out to the international community that only Punjab is the name of Pakistan. Nevertheless, it is fact that due to Sindh, the area has become geographically important. We, therefore, clarify to the world that if you want peace and harmony in the area, help Sindh in getting sovereignty.
Sindh Today: What do you say about LFO?
BKQ: We neither recognize the present Pakistan nor 1973 Constitution. Sindh opted for Pakistan on the basis of 1940 Resolution as a state on equal basis. At that time, there were five states viz Bengal (now Bangladesh), NWFP, Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh. The Pakistan, which was constituted by states on equal basis, was dismembered due to highhandedness and injustices of Punjab, in the year 1970. In principle, it would have been asked to various nations of the state whether they want to remain with Pakistan or not. But this was not done and on the principle of 'Might is Right', a new constitution was made in the year 1973 which is now known as "1973 Constitution". However, the creator of the 1973 Constitution Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) who got free 90,000 army personnel of Punjabi nation, and also was the traitor of Sindhi nation, was executed by Punjabi General Ziaul Haq. Now all the persons having consciousness may note that a nation (Punjabi) who hanged a person (ZAB) who had many obligations upon them. How can they be well-wisher to the Sindh nation? We, therefore, are not recognizing 1973 Constitution nor any other constitution in such system. You will notice that in the presence of "1973 Constitution the Army Chief had by-passed without any hindrances the elected President & elected Prime Minister of Pakistan who was enjoying overwhelming majority in the parliament. Thus the sanctity of the constitution was shattered. In the circumstances, is there any importance of LFO? Nevertheless, the world community may judge the treatment, which is being meted out with small nations like Sindhis.
Sindh Today: Has JSQM any representation on international level or do you intend to do so?
BKQ: We will only send delegations on world level after proper consideration in view of our limited resources. Presently, JSQM Units are working in Dubai and Saudi Arabia regularly. Soon we will open our Unit in United Kingdom. World community is already aware of sufferings of Sindhis. However, those people who have been collecting funds in the name of Sindh, they have nothing to do with Sindh. Such persons are sitting abroad and making the big claims. They are minting the money and having luxurious lives there. However, I appeal to the well wishers of Sindh to strengthen JSQM by responding to our struggle, they must inform the world community that JSQM is the only representative party of Sindh who is striving for the sovereignty of Sindh. In the light of thinking of Rahbar-e-Sindh G. M. Syed, we are marching forward step by step. Therefore, the well-wishers of Sindh living abroad, should spread message of G.M.Syed every where.
Sindh Today: What about USA's role in this area?
BKQ: If USA is not playing its role for the independence of the oppressed nations, its all endeavours in this regard would be useless. It is the only 'nationalism ideology' who can check the religious extremism (Fundamentalism) otherwise, the whole world would face religious extremism. Therefore, it will be difficult for USA to get rid of it. In this regard, we can say that in the light of messages of Shah Lateef, Sachal and Saami and in view of geographical position, Sindh can be "Gateway to Asia". Until & unless USA do not leave the Pakistan and help Sindh and Balochistan in getting sovereignty, its dream of establishing peace in the world will remained incomplete.
Sindh Today: It is reported that the lands of Sindh are being allotted to the affected persons of Islamabad in Shikarpur. Would you like to comment on this?
BKQ: We, in Jeay Sindh Quami Mahaz (JSQM) reject this and also all such allotment, which have been made to the serving as well as army personnel and other Punjabis in the past. We have very clear stand that not a single inch of Sindh's lands be allotted to the Punjab's civil bureaucrat or army personnel. We strongly condemn the conspiracy to usurp the rich lands of Sindh in the name of Islamabad's affected persons. A long period has passed to the construction of Islamabad city and the all affected persons have already settled but the Army and Civil bureaucracy of Punjab and the concerned politicians with chauvinistic approach have not changed their attitude of hatred towards Sindhis. They seem to be anxious to erase the very existence of Sindhis. Punjabis were three times badly beaten up. However, Sindhis were not responsible for that. On the contrary, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Sindhi) got free 93,000 army personnel from the prison (of India). Today, they are proudly talking about the Pakistan that was also founded by Mohammad Ali Jinnah who was also Sindhi. I am unable to understand that why Punjabis are jealous to Sindhis and they have created sense of deprivation
among them (Sindhis).
We demand that all Sindh lands allotted to the Punjabis be cancelled. The said lands be re-allotted to the poor persons belonging to Thar, Kohistan and other backward areas of Sindh. It is not the end of story of oppression against Sindhis but this is perhaps the only area of the world where law is different for different people. For example; the law for Punjabis is separate and for the sons of soil i.e Sindhis is different. In Sindh, there is Deh-System but by bringing the Punjabis into Sindh; Colony-System on the pattern of Israel has been established for the convenience of Punjabis , "Chakk System" introduced in Sanghar, Badin and Mirpur Khas as Punjabis were not conversant to Deh-System. Therefore rich lands of Sindh were allotted to them. like Jewish settlements in Israel, Punjabis are being settled in Sindh so that outsiders may be settled in Sindh rapidly besides turning Sindhis into minority. We want to tell the world, there is not one Israel but there are two Israels. Similarly, there are two Palestines. On one hand, Punjabi rulers are supporting the freedom movements but on the other hand, they are suppressing the movement of Sindh with force. We appeal to the United Nations (UN) and other world powers to help us in getting independence from the slavery of Pakistan. We Sindhi nation have the oldest civilization of the world i.e Mohen-jo-Daro. We must get our rights otherwise it would be very difficult for the world to face the
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