SUKKUR: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain’s warning that “demand of a separate province, or possibly even a country, for Urdu-speaking Sindhis may be raised in case their rights continued to be usurped” sparked a spontaneous reaction from almost all other political and nationalist parties in Sindh with groups of non-MQM activists, lawyers and people from other walks of life staging demonstrations and rallies in different parts of the province.

The public protests sparked off as soon as the London-based MQM chief concluded his address to his supporters in Hyderabad which was aired by electronic channels on Friday evening.

Mr Hussain categorically stated that the Urdu-speaking Sindhis must be given 50 per cent share in the resources of Sindh on the basis of their population in the province. Denial of this and other legitimate rights, he warned, might compel them to demand a province or an independent homeland for them.

The MQM claims representing an overwhelming majority of the people of Sindh and in his latest speech, Mr Hussain described most of them as ‘Urdu-speaking Sindhis’. The party has also been claiming having considerable support among other racial communities belonging to the country.

Reacting to Mr Hussain’s utterances, the lawyers fraternity also organised protests in various towns on Saturday.

A number of protest demonstrations were held and rallies taken out in different areas of Sukkur, Jacobabad and Kandhkot-Kashmore districts to condemn Mr Hussain’s views and warning.

The protests were organised by the Pakistan Peoples Party and its student and youth wings, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Sindh Taraqqi-pasand Party, Qaumi Awami Tehreek, Sindh United Party, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Jeay Sindh Student Federation, Jacobabad Shehri Ittehad and other political, nationalist and religious groups.

Protest demonstrations were held in almost all district and taluka headquarters of Sukkur division.

The protesters demanded an apology from the MQM chief for hurting the feelings of Sindhi-speaking people of the province and calling for dismemberment of Sindh and Pakistan.

Leaders of the protesting parties warned of a joint campaign against the MQM if its London-based leader did not withdraw his statements based on secession.

They resolved to resist any move aimed at dividing the province or the country tooth and nail.

Hyderabad

A strongly-worded statement issued by the Sindh National Party (SNP) sought the MQM chief’s apology within 24 hours, saying that his remarks were aimed at fomenting ethnic riots involving the Urdu- and Sindhi-speaking communities. “the SNP will break its alliance with the MQM if the apology did not come,” it said.

SNP leader Ashraf Noonari said that his party had formed an alliance with the MQM in the larger interest of peace and brotherhood in Sindh but the MQM was bent upon fanning hatred in the province to cause a rift between the two communities.

The Awami Jamhoori Party (AJP) termed Mr Hussain’s statements ‘an attack on Sindh’s integrity’, and said the Sindhi people would defend their motherland till the last drop of their blood.

“the MQM stands exposed… it has never been loyal to Sindh and Sindhis,” said AJP secretary-general Vishnu Mal, Mukhtiar Abbasi, Noor Nabi Rahujo and other office-bearers.

Nawabshah

Shaheed Benazirabad District Bar Association observed a strike to condemn the MQM chief’s statements.

They boycotted court proceedings in Nawabshah and issued a statement slamming his warning.

The statement signed by DBA president Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar and other office-bearers said the MQM’s intentions manifested from Mr Hussain’s words was a conspiracy against innocent and peace-loving people of Sindh.

It termed the MQM chief’s statements ‘shameful’, and said no Sindhi could tolerate them.

Sindh Taraqqi-pasand Party (STP) activists led by Nisar Keerio and Imran Keerio took out a rally from Regal Chowk and after marching through the streets of the city they converged on the local press club, where the leaders delivered speeches. They said Mr Hussain must withdraw his remarks regarding ‘a division of Sindh’.

Participants in the rally, carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the MQM, blocked thoroughfares with burning tyres disrupting movement of vehicular traffic for some time.

Peoples Hari Committee also held a protest demonstration in front of the club to condemn what it described as ‘hateful’ statements of Mr Hussain.

Khairpur

People from all walks of life took part in protest rallies held at Khairpur city and Pakka Chaang to condemn the MQM chief’s demands regarding Urdu-speaking people’s share in governance and Sindh’s resources.

The protesters, including activists of non-MQM political parties, social welfare organisation, nationalists and members of the lawyers fraternity, raised slogans against MQM and its leaders.

They resolved to fight all forces hostile to Sindh and the country till the last drop of blood.

Khairpur District Bar Association members also boycotted court proceedings and took out a procession.

Led by DBA president Shafqat Mahesar, they marched from the Bar office to the local press club.

DBA office-bearers speaking to the participants, said Mr Hussain’s remarks were tantamount to instigating secession and treachery.

They said all patriotic forces must take a very serious notice of Mr Hussain’s remarks and intensions. They accused Mr Hussain of having masterminded a conspiracy to divide the people of Sindh on ethnic or linguistic lines by spread hatred.

Leaders of nationalist parties declared that the MQM chief’s dream about splitting Sindh would never come true as all non-MQM forces would join hands to foil his conspiracy.

Shikarpur

The Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz took out a rally and blocked the Shikarpur section of the National Highway on Saturday to condemn what it described as Sindh-hostile remarks of the MQM chief.

The rally participants resolved to offer any sacrifice to keep the province and the country intact and fight against any force working in the country for separatism.