Role of Sindh for confederation or Loose federation: Khadim Soomro's UN Speech

2008-10-12T01:51:00.000-07:00

Role of Sindh for confederation or Loose federation

The Idea of confederation or loose federation is not a new one. Before partition of the Asian subcontinent the leadership of province of the Sindh - presented it, struggled for it and sacrificed for it. The mighty British empire under the imperialist designs; the All-India Congress and the All-India Muslim League opposed it and ignored it.

Even in personal capacity colonialist governor, Sir Hugh Dow appreciated the opinion of Sindh leaders and also he shows apprehensions. I quote:

‘Sindh was outside of the main current scenario of political thought in India ; Jinnah would through over the Sindhi Muslims and Gandhi the Sindhi Hindus, if it suited to them to do so.

The bold views of Sindh Leadership about loose federation felt by vested interests main hindrance for their future plan and they acted ruthlessly against them.

Premier of Sindh Allah Bux Soomro's government were toppled and he was dismissed by colonialist Governor Sir Hugh Dow on 10 October 1942 from premiership. Also he was assassinated on 14 May 1943.

Short while another nationalist hero and spiritual mentor Sayed Sibghatullah Shah Pir pagaro was put on the gallows on 20 March 1943.

Under the future plan and designs British were not sincere with honourable solution of communal question and their attitude became a disaster for south Asia .

On second April 1946 Sindh's nationalist leader Mr. G.M. Sayed in his meeting with cabinet mission and the viceroy presented his point of view that a loose federation of the Asian subcontinent is a better solution. Also he appealed to delegation.

If the delegation could not get the two parties (The All-India Congress and the All-India Muslim League) to agree they would not satisfy either side, and the British would have remained in subcontinent for some time to keep peace.

The British did not pay heed to the opinion of Sayed and they announced partition plan on 3 June 1947. The partition of South Asia took place on 14th August 1947 -- As a result millions innocent people were killed, property of worth billion dollars were destroyed and millions people became homeless and immigrants.

Also issue of Kashmir remains unsolved. During period of sixty years three wars and one battle of Kargil were fought between Pakistan and India and still two nuclear power states are at the verge of the war.

Above all love replaced by hatred and the beauty of South Asia , multi-cultural and multi-religious society was shattered.

The Asian-subcontinent was never been a country except during the rule of Ashok the Great, Mughal dynasty and the British empire .

South Asia is a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-lingual land and local states had own authorities and geographical boundaries. For Example Bengal was conquered by the British in 1757 and Sindh was conquered by the British in 1843, there was difference of 86 years.

The formula of centralisation was introduced by conquerors for their administrative necessities and this was unnatural act of the invaders against nations and cultures of the South Asia .

Until and unless the rights of nation states would not have accept by the vested interest powers the peace and socioeconomic progress would not have materialise and bloodshed and unrest should have continue and our coming generation will suffer. Six decades have gone but South Asia is without peace and prosperity and there is no sign of harmony.

It can be theorised if the Congress and the Muslim League leadership and the British administration had accepted the constitutional plan of Mr. G.M. Sayed, the division of the Punjab and the Bengal wouldn’t have taken place. A dispute like Kashmir would not have arisen and migration and killing of million of people and destruction of property worth million of rupees would not have transpired. Also the civilian rule would have continued in the western part of the subcontinent without the political role of the military and no communal-minded government could have gained power in the central and the eastern parts of the subcontinent. Also, the tragic incident of Bangladesh would not have occurred.

I think there is no solution of problems of South Asia except loose federation and as a successor of Muslim nationalists I am appreciating positive initiative of the countries, groups and individuals. I and Sindh people will support them.

Meeting was organised by Interfaith International
Room E3025 UNO office Building Geneva Switzerland

khadim hussain soomro UN Speech

Role of Sindh for confederation or Loose federation: Khadim Soomro's UN Speech