Identity issues of Sindh

 

Identity issues of Sindh

 Sohai Sangi

Sindh has manifold identity crisis. Sindh an independent country, ruled by Taplurs was annexed with Bombay Presidency after it conquest at the hands of Sir Charles Napier commander of East India Company. It lost its identity as separate administrative unit in 1843. Till 1936 it struggled to win its separate administrative status, when it was separated from Bombay Presidency and was made province, having its capital in Karachi. Eleven years later Pakistan was created, and Karachi was made central government’s capital, which took away Karachi – a commercial and economic hub of the province. It remined under central government till 1969, when Gen Yahya Khan dissolved One Unit and created four provinces in the West Pakistan. Sindh has been missing its solidarity throughout all this period. Therefore, for Sindh it administrative as well as geographical solidarity remained important. MQM’s demand to separate Karachi from Sindh is further creating fear among the Sindhis.

With partition, Sindh experienced a huge influx of Mohajir from India, which somehow continued till 70s. Formation of One Unit and industrialization during Ayoob Khan period accelerated the influx from upcountry.  Construction of Kotri Barrage and Guddu Barrage attracted landlords and other elite of up country to get lands and settle in Sindh.  

With creation of Bangladesh third flow of influx was witnessed, as population known as Biharies, despite resistance of Sindhis was settled in Karachi.

In late seventies and eighties Sindh saw another flow of immigrants from Afghanistan due to Afghan war. Operation in Tribal areas and Swat etc also pushed a large number of population to Sindh’s provincial capital.

Sindh is facing demographic changes in which indigenous would be converted into minority in their own land

Another issue is language, as Ayoob Khan reduced the status of Sindhi from official and medium of instruction language. The Sindhi writers and students launched movement for restoration of status of their mother tongue.  When Bhutto declared Sindhi as official language in early 70s, he faced resistance and was forced to amend the Sindh Assembly Act through an ordinance. The language question ahs remained continuously a potent point in Sindh. A bill declaring Sindhi and other regional languages as national languages is still pending in the parliament.

Like language Sindhi are much sensitive for culture. A decade ago Sindhi cultural day is being observed throughout Sindh in December every year.

Sindh has another grievance, if it did not get proper share from financial resources, its population will be pushed backward and would lose its cultural and national identity. It is also afraid of exploitation of its natural resources. That is why it is more vocal in provincial autonomy, judicious distribution of water and financial resources.

 https://superuser.com/questions/1206846/cant-change-display-language-in-windows-10s