MITHI: Speakers at the launch of a book on legendary freedom fighter Rooplo Kolhi penned by Veerji Kolhi, special assistant to Sindh chief minister, praised the writer for bringing to life the forgotten history of the great hero of Sindhs’ colonial past.

Rooplo, who was one of the highly revered heroes and freedom fighters of Sindh and Pakistan, was hanged by British colonial regime for launching a relentless armed struggle against the invaders in Nagarparkar in 1860s.

Sindh Minister for Education, Culture and Tourism Syed Sardar Ali Shah said at the ceremony organised at the foothill of Karoonjhar in Nagarparkar town on Tuesday that Veerji, who shared the community and region with the freedom fighter, had tried his best to highlight the sacrifices laid down by Rooplo and his companions who had fought gallantly against mighty British forces when they tried to force into Parkar region to occupy the mainland.

Rooplo and his companions successfully withheld the better armed enemy with the help of their outdated weapons and inflicted heavy losses on the colonial forces before the freedom fighter was captured, he said.

He said that he was among the few freedom fighters of the subcontinent who loathed living under foreign rule to the extent that despite having lack of arms and ammunition he continued to fight for the freedom till his death.

Shah said that the writer must be appreciated for having gathered authentic information on the hero after thorough research. “As minister of culture and tourism I have always encouraged and supported the writers who have ventured to write on the life and works of such unsung heroes, freedom fighters and great personalities of the society about whom the young and coming generations must know,” he said.

He said that the society needed to give due respect to such personalities by highlighting their achievements and extraordinary works in different fields. Many buildings, including a resort on the outskirts of Nagarparkar town and other parts of Thar and Sindh had been named after Rooplo, he said.

Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Qasim Siraj Soomro said that Kolhi had waged the war against the invading colonial forces when they launched attack on Sindh from Nagarparkar. Kolhis were always looked down upon in Sindh by feudal mindset but their services for the motherland were matchless, he said.

He said that PPP leadership had not only made Veerji Kolhi part of Sindh cabinet but also made her sister Krishna Kumari Kolhi member of the upper house in recognition of the great services rendered the community.

Allama Masood Jamal said that Rooplo was among the few genuine heroes of Sindh, who had fought gallantly and laid down his dear life while safeguarding the motherland.

Senator Krishna Kumari said that her brother undertook the task of writing the book on Rooplo and had uncovered many hitherto hidden aspects of the freedom fighter’s life and times.

The writer said that he had made a humble contribution by writing the book on the great personality of his community and region. It was now others’ turn to do more research on the life of Rooplo and other heroes of the motherland, he said.

Well-known writer Madad Ali Sindhi, Khali Kumbhar, Dr Ishaq Samejo, Dr Qazi Khadim, Husna Quraishi, Dodo Chandio, Piyaro Shivani and other writers and civil society leaders lauded the writer’s work on the freedom fighter.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2022