Awami Tahreek’s 46 days historical Long March from Kandhkot to Karachi for Autonomy, NFC, Water, Education and Resources and Rights of Sindh and against Corruption, Lawlessness, Terrorism, Unemployment and man-made Inflation

1. WALK OF SURVIVAL
By: Raja Jee
Rasool Bux Palijo’s Quomi Awami Long
March is on its way to Karachi and will
reach at Ghaghar Phattak, the outskirt of
Karachi on 18th November and will
march four days in Karachi. On 22
November as its last 46th day it will be
turned in Grand Peaceful Public
Gathering from Mazar-e-Quid to Press
Club Karachi. This march started from
Kandh Kot, upper end of Sindh on 8th of
October 2009 and by walking 20 to 25
kilometers daily thousands of marchers
including men, women and children
crossed Shikarpur, Sukkur, Khairpur,
Gambat, Kandiaro, Noshehro Feroz,
Moro, Qazi Ahmed, Sakrand, Hala, Bhit
Shah, Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad
Khan, Shah Karim Bulri, Mirpur Bathoro,
Sijawal, Thatto and Dabeji. This distance
becomes around 1000 kilometers and
scheduled days are 46. To cover the breadth/ other sides of Sindh merging short
marches have also joined the main march which includes as (1). Ratodero to
Shikarpur (2). Dadu to Moro (3). Nawabshah to Sakrand (4). Tando Allahyar to
Hyderabad (5). Matli to Tando Mohammad Khan (6). Daro to Mirpur Bathoro.
Distributed pamphlet tells the following aim and objectives:
• Right of governance with complete autonomy as per 1940 resolution
instead of rule of imperial forces and their agents.
• Hold back the right over natural resources, oil, coal, gas, islands, and
coastline.
• Right of water of River Indus as per Sindh - Punjab Pact 1945
• Stoppage of controversial water projects i.e. Dams on river Indus and Thal
canal.
• Stop alleged settlements of outsiders in Sindh to convert indigenous
population in minority.
• Reject allotment of million acres of provincial land to non Sindhi population
and multinational companies for illegal possession over cities.
• Restrain Sindhi students from admission in educational institutions of
Karachi and preserving Institution from copy, weapon, Bhata culture.

2. • Uproot all forms of Terrorism as state, urban, tribal, and religious in cities
and lawlessness in rural areas by so called urban rulers and feudal lords.
• Protest against Continuous unemployment and non observance of due
share in jobs for Sindhis in judiciary, military, financial institutions,
autonomous authorities and other departments.
• Protest against Jirga system, Honour killing, Karo Kari, immature
marriages and other violence against women and minorities.
It is the fifth long march by Awami Tahreek first in December 1991 from Sukkur
to Karachi, second in 1994 from Hyderabad to Karachi, third in 2001 from
Bhitshah to Karachi, forth is from Sukkur to Karachi in 2005 and this is longest
fifth one. There is no doubt in saying that Awami Tahreek always gained huge
support from publics and their struggle remained peaceful and non-violent. No
scratch on any vehicle or any damage to property or misbehave to any persons
on any basis of sect, language or creed were reported so far. But in 2001,they
faced baton charge, injuries, bloodshed, lockups, and tear gas shells each day
by police in a bid to foil the long march and they set new example of bravery
ahead the government blockade, torture, brutality and aggression and succeeded
to reach Karachi peacefully.
Awami Tahreek was formed on 1970 aiming to
establish a welfare state with participation of renowned
Marxist-Leninist-Maoist writers, political activists and
intellectuals under leading theoretician Rasool Bux
Palijo. Besides contribution in all democratic and
human right struggles in Pakistan, the active role of
Awami Tahreek is largely recognized in Anti One- Unit, MRD, Anti Kalabagh
Dam, anti urban terrorism, restoration of judiciary , violence in educational
institutions and violence against women and peasant in all over Pakistan.
Founder of Awami Tahreek Rasool Bux Palijo (80) is a well-known politician of
Pakistan and he earned the fame in
struggling against feudalisms, marshal-laws,
establishment, colonialism and imperialism.
Besides top constitutional and criminal
lawyer, he is an authority over world history,
philosophy, science, religion and political
theories and also wrote more than 40 books
on numerous subjects. He remained about 11
years in jail and declared as Prisoner of
Conscience by Amnesty International in
1981. Organizing women and Hindu
scheduled Castes are his more remarkable and revolutionary traits. His
continuous love, affection and guide uplifted them as first class citizens and He
has broken the walls of untouchability and chains of women slavery very
practically.

3. During passing through no-go area of Saradars in Kadh Kot, Rasool Bux Palijo
expressed his views as “Through planned conspiracy, big cities of Sindh are
handed over to terrorists while the rurals areas have been distributed to
tribal chiefs and Jagidars and both are the agents of imperial forces.
Feudalism and urban terrorism are being nourished by dictators and
imperial agencies to maintain status quo. Criminal negligence of present
government over the urban terrorism on Sindhi and tribal terrorism over
women and Hindus are very shameful. However, the sons and daughters of
Sindh without any discrimination of caste, tribe, creed and religion are
ready to play their role in struggle to get back sovereignty of Sindh and the
resources of Sindh”.
Averagely 500 men, women and children have walked in changing weather from
hot to cold in the entire province on foot and when crossed through towns and
cities the caravan turned into huge public gatherings. Leaders spoke there to
highlight the issue and purposes. Caravan received warm welcome by local
organizations, political parties, civil societies, bar associations at every stop
along National Highway. There were singers who kept the participants energized
with revolutionary songs of Shah Latif, Faiz Amed Faiz, Shaikh Ayaz, Habib
Jalib, Ustad Bukhari, Sahir Ludhiyanvi, and Bhagat Kabir and also the well-
worded poetic slogans were chanted as
• Jo America jo yaar aa - Ghadaar aa Ghadar aa.
• Qudarati waseela - Awam ji hawaley kario.
• Karo-kari ain jirga system - Na manzoor no manzoor.
• Daryan ji Aabadgari - Band Kario band kario

4. • 12 May ain 18 October Ja qatil - Girftar kario Girftar kario
• Jagia Jagia - Sindhi Jagia.
• Sindhu te ko b dam - Na khapey Na khapey
• Rahbar Sindhi Quom jo – Rasool Bux Palijo
• Kery-lugar ain NRO - Na manzoor Na manzoor
• Dahishat garidi ain Gunda Gardi - Band Kario band kario
Besides the frequent appearances of Rasool Bux Palijo (Cardiac Patient),
Advocate Ayaz Lalif Palijo, Sayed Aalam Shah, Mohammad Khan Bhurgri, Qadir
Ranto, Hakeem Halepoto of Awami Tahreek and Umrah Samo, Zahida Shaikh,
Nazir Qureshi, Husna Rahujo, Kalavanti Raja, Kalsoom Halepoto of Sindhiyani
Tahreek are leading the March.
Ayaz Latif Palijo (44), Awami Tahreek’s current president
possessing moving and shaking personality and having very vast
knowledge and grip over the issue of Sindh told that “Today
Sindh is passing famine like situation. People are
committing suicide and selling their children due allegedly
made price hike and corruption. Broad day-light dacoity is
made on water, finances, employment and resources of
coming generations. How long the rulers embroil the people
of Sindh in concocted stories? People are full of hatred and
warmly contributing their part in struggle. Hugely participation of public
and political groups irrespective of socio-political and religious affiliations
proved that Sindh is united”.
Mohammad Khan Bhurgri, General Secretary AT expressed the significance of
march as “It’s a mammoth demonstration and protest ever held in Pakistan.
Main theme of this protest is restoration of all rights of Sindh and
establishment of democratic republic welfare state. We are not against any
group or nation but we oppose those who perpetuate atrocities on Sindhis
and other working classes of Pakistan. This march is organized against
ongoing unemployment, price hike, terrorism, lawlessness, corruption and
shortage of water for which we have received tremendous response from
masses, people are hosting break fasts, Lunches, dinners and night stays
voluntarily. ”
Ms. Umrah Samo, President of Sindhiyani Tahreek, replied when asked about
hot weather, hard journey, as “It is tiring at instant but energizing and
interesting ahead public enthusiasm, supportive attitude, hospitality,
walking along, showering of rose petals, offering of foods, juices, sweets,
snakes, tea and milks by common people in thousands. At start some were
fairer but now we all are of same colour and complexions. Our refreshed
health and fitness is just the byproduct of 46 days long march”.

5. Many surprising and emotional scenes were observed; some are as under:
1). During passing through Ghauspur hundreds of Hindu Bagri women appeared
and joined march singing songs in their own language.
2). In Kumb city Menghwar Community welcome the long march with many
baskets of sweets and celebrated Deevali Festival with Caravan.
3). Huge group of Young Shaikh Community leading by Latif Shaikh received the
long march like traditional Barat in Gambat and all danced for hours in the tunes
of barati band-baja and drums.
4). Parents arranged the marriage of Sakina Maganhar but she joined March till
the first ceremony of ‘wanwah’ and all marching women left her with placing
‘Mendi’ on her hand palms and marriage songs.
5). Two old age (above 75 years) persons Ahmed Laghari and Ali Ghulam
Nizamani are determined to walk for 46 days and many youngster of 7-10 years
are in the walk. Women with infants are surprising entries.
6). A man near Sakrand stopped his car and left his wife and three daughters in
long march and come back at evening and repeated thrice.
7). Many Small tea hotel owners at rural side stopped the caravan and forcibly
offered the tea to all persons free. Ended all milk and tea and started walking.
8). All Gadi Nahins of Dargahs which came across like Hazrat Sachal Sarmast,
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Shah Inayat Shaheed Of Jhok Sharif have warmly and
culturally welcomed with presenting Ajraks and singing sufi songs.
Bravo! Awami Tahreek is well playing its role with befitting courage and sacrifice
to aware, protest and project cause and demands in democratic and peaceful
ways towards Government and all well wishers of Pakistan to resolve the issues
and make the country go on in well and honoured manner.
(Writer is a social worker and civil society activist. One can reach him at
raja.jee.khi@gmail.com. )