HYDERABAD, March 21: Prominent writers, professors, and intellectuals have demanded of both the federal and provincial governments to acknowledge the services of the late Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi, who had waged a war of resistance against the British Raj and had even sacrificed his life in the struggle.

They said that the name of Pir Saheb and the history of the struggle should be included in the syllabus and the day of his martyrdom should be observed as a national day.

They were speaking at Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi’s death anniversary which was organized by the Sindhi Adabi Sangat and Veer Publications in the hall of the Sindhi Language Authority here on Wednesday.

Noted educationist Dr Ghulam Ali Allana said that the Pir Saheb had not waged a war to achieve power but he had fought against the British Raj for the emancipation of Sindhi people and was sent to the gallows.

He regretted that the Sindhi people had not acknowledged the services of the late Pir Saheb to the extent that he so richly deserved. He stressed the need for commemorating March 20 as the day of liberation of Sindh.

He said that Dr Qadir Magsi was celebrating “Motherland Day” on March 21 in Hyderabad and advised him to observe this day on March 20 in future.

He suggested that a detailed research should be undertaken on the “Hur movement”.

Speaking on the occasion, a leader of the Hur Jamat, M Ali Wassan said that Pir Saheb had challenged the British Raj consciously keeping in view all the pros and cons.

He said the devoted Faqirs of Pir Saheb had made an impassioned appeal to Pir Saheb not to fight against the British Raj but he had replied that until and unless he and his followers sacrificed their lives, the tyrant British rulers would not quit the country.

He said even today the Hur Jamat was organized and it was fully aware of its objectives.

The chairperson of the Sociology Department, University of Sindh, Ms Tanveer Junejo said that the war waged by Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi against the British Raj would always remain a golden chapter in the history of Pakistan.

Among others who paid tributes to the late Pir Saheb were Prof Qalandar Shah Lakhyari, Shaukat Ali Rahimoon, Mansoor Qadir Junejo, and Prof Tahmina Mufti.