BADIN: Glowing tribute was paid to freedom fighter Rooplo Kolhi at his 157th death anniversary observed in Nagarparkar, Mithi and Badin city by various organisations on Sunday.

Rooplo Kolhi waged a war against the invading British forces when they had attacked Sindh from Nagarparkar side.

Addressing the programme organised by the Badin chapter of Sindh Kolhi Ittehad, former Sindh minister Dr Zulfikar Ali Mirza, said that Rooplo was a poor peasant, but he fought against the mighty invading forces and laid down his life along with other people of his community.

He observed that the Kolhis were always looked down upon in Sindh by the feudal mindset but their services for Sindh were matchless. He recalled that when his farmhouse was besieged by heavy contingents of police a year ago, Kolhi women side by side with their men took up arms to protect him. “I am highly thankful to this community who has always voted and helped us in the worst times,” he added.

Activist and educationist Ms Assu Bai said that Rooplo was among a few genuine heroes of Sindh, who fought and laid down his life for the motherland.

She deplored that no promise made by the rulers of Sindh, including Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Senator Aijaz Damhrah and others, about her school was fulfilled. She urged people of the Kolhi community to send their girls to schools.

The death anniversary of Roolo was also organised by Sindh Sujag Forum in Nagarparkar where well-known poet and writer Taj Joyo said that Mr Kolhi was among a few freedom fighters of the subcontinent who valiantly fought for the homeland.

Syed Nawaz Shah Bhadai, Ms Suhani Joyo, Ms Murk Khaskheli, Suneeta Rathore and Abdul Fataha Channa also spoke on the occasion.

A programme was also organised in Mithi to mark the death anniversary of the freedom fighter.

MIRPURKHAS: Speakers paid rich tribute to freedom fighter Rooplo Kohli who laid down his live for the motherland while fighting against British invaders in Nagarparkar.

They were speaking at a gathering making the 157th death anniversary of Rooplo Kolhi under the banner of Sindh Kolhi Ittehad in Kot Ghulam Muhammad taluka near Syed Jamal Shah shrine on Sunday.

Hundreds of members of Kolhi community, leaders of Sindh Kolhi Ittehad and PPP leaders and activists attended the gathering.

PPP’s Mir Anwer Ali Khan Talpur, who was recently elected unopposed chairman of Mirpurkhas district council said that Rooplo Kohli had laid down his life for his motherland and never bowed to the intruders.

He said that Kolhi was a hero of Sindh and urged all schedule caste people to educate their children to improve their lot.

Sindh Kolhi Ittehad president Bheem Chand praised Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for his liberal thinking and said he was giving representation to schedule caste people. Rooplo would always be remembered for his supreme sacrifice, he said.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2016