LARKANA: The 103rd death anniversary of Barrister Jan Muhammad Junejo, who had spearheaded Hijrat Movement in Sindh for the restoration of Ottoman caliphate in Turkey in early nineteenth century, was observed at Begum Nusrat Bhutto Conference Hall here the other day.

Larkana Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Phull, who presided over the programme held under the aegis of Barrister Jan Muhammad Jonejo Yadgar Committee, said that there were many uncelebrated personalities in Sindh whose role in history had been pivotal. They needed to be celebrated for their contribution to society so that new generation could learn about them, he said.

He said that Barrister Junejo’s role in Hijrat Movement was very important as he laid down great sacrifices for the cause of Muslims. In those days there were only three personalities in Sindh who had obtained Bar-at-law and they were Barrister Junejo, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Rais Ghulam Muhammad Bhurgri, he said.

He said that Barrister Junejo travelled from Sindh to Afghanistan and then to Ajmer in India for the supreme cause of Muslims which needed to be highlighted and research should be made on it to unearth more facts.

Haji Mazhar Ali Khan, grandson of Barrister Junejo, said that his grandfather was like an institution who served people on political as well as on social front. Barrister Junejo was a companion of Moulana Taj Muhammad Amroti who motivated him to work for Khilafat Movement launch in the subcontinent, he said.

Dr Badar Dhamraho, writer and researcher, said that though conquerors had made havoc with history but “we too have made its mockery in many ways.” Even the birth date of Barrister Junejo was not correct in different books, he lamented.

Essa Memon, writer and former secretary of Sindhi Ababi Sangat, said that it was an irony that the history had mostly been written by the scribes of invaders in past which must be rectified. Barrister Junejo was a brave leader who had revolted against the policies of British rulers, he said.

Zahid Junejo of the Yadgar Committee said that if anyone liked to conduct M.Phil or Ph.D on Barrister Jan Muhammad the committee would bear all its expenditures and support the scholar as well.

Larkana Mayor Anwer Ali Nawaz Khan Luhar, Ali Akber Aseer Qureshi, Gulbahar Magsi, Muham-mad Usman Junejo, Samee Sajid Junejo, Khawar Qaboolai, Oshaque Agani and Irshad Akash also spoke at the programme. A book Hijrat Tehreek jo sarwan (Leader of Migration Movement) compiled by Muhammad Usman Jonejo was also launched on this occasion.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2024