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| Apr 15, 2007 3:49 pm |
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re: re: re: Bhopal's Sindhi community issues fatwa |
| Saniya Kirpalani
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For ryze
It’s indeed a day of shame for a progressive community for the Hindu Sindhis across the nation. From what I remember about Sindhis, we are a socio-ethnic group of people originating from Sindh which is part of present day Pakistan. I understand that the Sindhis that now continue to live in Pakistan are predominantly Muslim whereas the ones that migrated towards India –after the bitter divide in 1947- are largely Hindus.
Our history and culture bears witness to the fact that we are one of the oldest civilizations of the world. Sindhi itself is an Indo-Aryan tongue which has an eclectic history not very unlike the rich tapestry of the Sindhi culture itself. Our culture is supposed to be over 6000 years old. Our culture is supposed to have been the cradle for the Indus Valley Civilization of 3000 BC and the names Harappa and MohenjoDaro are both deverived from the Sindhi Language.
It is said that prior to Independence, Sindh had voted to support the concept of a Muslim state. In 1947, the British gave Independence to India and formed what would become two new nations, Pakistan (West Pakistan) and Bangladesh (East Pakistan). Sindh at the time had a 25% population of Hindu Sindhis, pre-occupied with trade and commerce. Responsible for export of products made in Sindh and contributed significantly to the economy of Sindh. Generally, there was good relation between Hindu Sindhis and Muslims Sindhis, so when Partition of India occurred Sindhi Hindus expected to remain in Sindh.
Pakistan August 1947; the bitter dawn of independence bought with it untold miseries of widespread disturbances, killings, lootings and arson in Punjab. While the Punjabis were being driven out from the land of their forefathers, the Hindus in Sindh feared that migration from their homeland would soon become a necessity. The authorities across the border assured them that no harm would be inflicted on the Sindhi Hindus and that their position was secure.
But no sooner than the migration across the new Punjab cease did the Hindus of Sindh start crossing out of Pakistan. The influx of Muslim evacuees from India and subsequent incidents of violence had justified their fears. The Indian government chartered a number of ships to transport people, but due to the bureaucratic hindrances across the border, only a mere 2000 people were allowed to leave at a time, as the port authorities claimed inability to handle an even larger number.
When the joy of independence failed miserably to overcome the trauma of partition. Sindhi’s made an unwilling chose that alienated them from their own land. Setting out on a painful journey, in search of land where lives were more valuable and religion didn’t breed hatred. The partition inflicted maximum mayhem on the Sindhi community. The state had to part from its most cherished ones. The Sindhi Hindus in particular had to countenance the snags of the partition by shifting base in search of new habitat. Penniless, and forlorn, they left their secure surroundings and came to refugee camps in India.
The refugees on reaching the Indian soil were received, dispersed or accommodated in the numerous relief camps in Bombay, Kathiawar, Rajasthan and the Central provinces. Refugees arriving by rail at Marwar and Pali were sent to various camps at Rajasthan , Ahmedabad, Ratlam and Khandwa, Similar camps with varying capacities were opened at Bikaner, Kotah, Udaipur, Jodhpur and other towns of Rajasthan. The camps were expectedly crammed and the accommodation, rudimentary.
A large number of Sindhi refugees have rehabilitated themselves by enterprise and hardwork they captured local markets in cloth, provisions and sundry goods everywhere. A lot of Sindhi’s migrated overseas and turned their fortunes around.The Sindhis are highly civilized and cultured people, enterprising, hardworking and industrious, full of the spirit of faith and courage. They have won laurels in many walks of life- education, medical, legal profession, science and technology, management, creative arts and above all, in building institutions of social welfare.
The Sindhis are a cosmopolitan community and transcend all caste, religious, racial and national barriers. In his interesting travel-book, Peter Mayne says: "Sindhis are the easiest and most open of the Eastern people. I have come across”. Sindhi’s have never been a selfish breed- despite the myths. Opening schools collages, hospital and other institutions and trust funds they have contributed to all the communities they live in- be it in Patna Pakikstan, Peru, Hong Kong or hono Lulu.
Successful sindhi’s can be seen in every walk of life, one of the most successful property developers, business people, international business people, professors, writers, Bollywood film makers, producers, directors, actors, fashion designers –they have benchmarked themselves in every field. It is imbibed in our culture our mannerisms that we can never accept defeat and despite circumstances we are tenacious and emerge in flying colours. Despite having to face many unforeseeable circumstances, in different countries we have never lost hope.
Such intent and determination speaks volumes of them being labelled as a community driven by the hunger for success. This fatwa does not make me question our community. It makes me question the upbringing the Panchayat leader must have given to his daughter. It makes me wonder what examples their mother’s may have set for them to doubt their daughters. I have taught my child well as has every sindhi mother I have met and known. My trust is the biggest barrier she will have to break- not some silly fatwa.
I will give my daughter a mobile phone – whether she is in Bhopal or Bombay- I know I my culture has given her depth beyond her years. I know I will let her drive a two wheeler cause of what my grandmother taught me- some woman know how to walk open eyed in darkness and others tend to walk blindly in light. She is a granddaughter of such a woman and I know she will curtail herself more than any fatwa. And if she chooses to bring someone home who is not of Sindhi origin – I am arrogant enough to know- we will convert him with our sindhiyat.
Private Reply to Saniya Kirpalani (new win) |
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