SINDH observed Culture Day [on Sunday]. …[D]ifferent political and social organisations took out rallies and organised … programmes. The Sindhi cap and ajrak are regarded as an essential part of Sindhi culture. The call received an enthusiastic response everywhere as tens of thousands of people speaking all languages and sporting Sindhi caps and ajrak took to the streets to express their love for Sindhi culture. …A few years ago, renowned Sindhi poet Shaikh Ayaz, referring to Sindhi culture, noted: “We are not better than others but are different from others.” …Culture is a very sensitive matter …The federating units of Pakistan have their own languages and distinctive cultures. The language dispute arose with the inception of Pakistan, when, in … 1948 Jinnah, the father of the nation, declared Urdu as the official language. This caused protests by students and riots.

As language and culture are sensitive issues, the Sindhi, Baloch, Pakhtun and Punjabi nations have reacted. When the Punjab civilian and non-civilian bureaucracy ruled the country, Punjabis did not feel deprived of their culture … [meanwhile] the smaller nations had no say in political power. Sindhi was the official language during the days of the British government but lost its status after the new country was created. The Sindhi language and culture were ridiculed. Sustained efforts were made to sideline Sindhi literature and poetry. This attitude pushed the indigenous people of all the smaller provinces towards alienation. A new cultural identity was foisted on these nations…. This action distanced smaller nations from the federation. In the backdrop of this reality, comments by an anchor of a private channel led to a volcanic eruption because President Zardari was made the object of satire for wearing the Sindhi cap. This produced a reaction throughout Sindh. People wearing the Sindhi cap and ajrak protested across the province; it is worth noting that the demonstrations were peaceful. …This day … is a message to all anti-Sindh forces that the people of Sindh are united and will stand like the Great Wall of China to protect their culture. — (Dec 4)

— Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi