DADU: Several nightlong gatherings of Sindhi nationalist leaders and activists were held in Sann town to pay homage to veteran politician G.M. Syed on his 29th death anniversary observed on Thursday.

Although large groups of men, women and children had started arriving Sann since Wednesday morning from across Sindh to attend the anniversary events, they proceeded to the venue of their choice as the Sindh United Party, Jeay Sindh Movement, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Jeay Sindh Mahaz, (proscribed) Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz and each of their breakaway factions had organised separate programmes close to the grave of the veteran leader.

All those destined for Sann had to pass through security check posts set up all along the routes leading to the town. Unlike in the past, there were no reports of any traveller having been detained by the police, Rangers or some other security agency. Nor was there any such claim made by the nationalist entities.

The event passed off by and large peacefully.

Syed’s followers used to be detained and even arrested in crackdowns allegedly for raising anti-state and anti-army slogans at gatherings held in the past to observe his birth or death anniversary anywhere in the province. However, this time the participants, perhaps, refrained from raising such slogans.

The main anniversary programme was held at the Syeds’ residence which was hosted by Sindh United Party (SUP) Chairman Syed Jalal Mahmood Shah, the grandson of G.M. Syed.

The entire SUP leadership and a large number of party workers and supporters led by its President, Syed Zain Shah, attended the programme, which started on Thursday evening and continued into Friday morning.

The participants took out a torch-bearing ally from G.M. Syed’s residence to his grave. They laid floral wreaths and showered rose petals on the grave and paid their respect to the late leader.

The SUP leaders spoke to the participants at a remembrance held at Syeds’ residence.

Syed Zain Shah paid homage to the late leader saying that his nationalist philosophy is aimed at creating harmony between each two nations living in the country. He recalled that G.M. Syed had endorsed the 1940 Resolution and played a key role in the creation of Pakistan. “G.M. Syed is the name of political ethics, character, courage and steadfastness,” he remarked, and said he propagated peace, love and brotherhood through his philosophy and active politics. He was a true lover of Sindh and Sindhis and always worked for making Pakistan stronger, Shah said.

Unfortunately, he added, G.M. Syed was incarcerated and kept in detention for a big part of his life over his nationalist views, politics and activism which were not liked by the establishment.

He paid rich tributes to G.M. Syed for his life-long struggle for the rights of Sindh and Sindhi nation.

Zain Shah said followers and supporters of Syed would carry forward his mission with great vigour and continue their struggle till Sindh and Sindhis were given all their due constitutional rights.

He claimed that Sindh’s rights and resources had been usurped in the past and were still being snatched. Even the very existence of Sindh was under threat today, he said, and vowed to intensify the struggle to protect its territory and all its interests.

He said that all nations in Pakistan should be regarded equal and they should have ownership and authority on their respective resources.

The SUP president also criticised the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party for keeping feudal lords within its ranks “and patronising criminal activities, like kidnapping for ransom and dacoities, through them”. He alleged that PPP lawmakers and police had a nexus with the criminal gangs due to which law and order situation in Sindh had constantly been deteriorating.

‘Sufi Melo’ was one of the main features of SUP’s programme where poets recited mystic verses and vocalists gave musical performance.

The other programmes held in Sann to observe G.M. Syed’s death anniversary were organised by JSQM led by its Chairman Sanan Qureshi, JSQM-Arisar led by Aslam Khairpuri, JSM-R led by Riaz Chandio and proscribed JSMM led by Shafi Burfat.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2024