LAHORE: Tributes were paid to Seraiki nationalist, linguist and progressive writer Aslam Rasoolpuri at a condolence reference organised for him by Sanjh Publications at the South Asia Free Media Association on Saturday.

Amjad Saleem Minhas, the moving spirit behind the Sanjh Publications, said in his opening remarks that Rasoolpuri was a great human rights activist, intellectual and Seraiki language activist. He was a well-read person with a big personal library while he himself wrote many books. He educated the young generation and was one of the most appreciated persons, especially for writing books on Seraiki music. Minhas suggested to the government to include Rasoolpuri’s books in the syllabus.

Aslam Rasoolpuri’s son Waqar said his father never liked to celebrate his achievements. Saying that Rasoolpuri did translations of many books, he informed the audience that he used to love his books collection. His struggle was against capitalist society and he had a bohemian lifestyle, said Waqar.

Another speaker, Irfan, said Rasoolpuri did extensive work on Seraiki literature. He said the late intellectual had given philosophical and theoretical interpretation to the Seraiki movement. Besides being a man of letters, Rasoolpuri was also a political worker. He said his village had a 100pc literacy rate and was a model village when it came to cleanliness.

Rana Mahboob Akhtar, a columnist, said Rasoolpuri always talked about humanity. He lauded Amjad Minhas for holding the condolence reference.

He said in 1962, a conference was held in Multan where it was decided that the language of the south Punjab region should be called Seraiki. Till 1,849, Multan was a separate province and the demand for a Seraiki province was quite justified. He said the people like Rasoolpuri were rare and his void could not be filled.

Tariq Ismail, a student of Rasoolpuri, said the late writer served humanity all his life and he had a craze for books.

Hassan Rasheed from the Punjab Professors and Lectures Association held Rasoolpuri in high esteem for his efforts against capitalism.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2024