Brazen attacks on sufi shrines in upper Sindh reflect a very dangerous social trend in the land of sufis. Some extreme developments in the past year or so like Hindu migration (mostly from upper Sindh), forced conversion of Hindu girls plus this fresh wave of attacks on shrines must have worried left forces of Sindhi nationalism. Sindh, since the days of “Bazm-e-Sufia-e-Sindh” founded by GM Syed, has been a citadel of tolerant Sufi inspired Sindhi social attitudes and behaviours against establishment’s ideological onslaught.
An opportunist political leadership of Muslim League after the demise of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah sided with those who had openly opposed the formation of Pakistan leaving no choice to left leaning forces of cultural nationalism but to hit back. The formation of Bazm was one such endeavour. The ultimate purpose was to preserve the delicate diversity of Sindhi society which had evolved through a process of interaction between Muslim mystics and local rituals of Hindu faith. The strong bond of Sindhi language has kept the diverse population in terms of religion and ethnic back grounds united and served as a cultural chain, from southern district of Thatta to northern districts of Jacobabad and Shikarpur.
The right wing establishment revised its strategy and entered the province in 80s through religious seminaries. Riots against Ahmadi community in upper Sindh in early years of 80s was an early manifestation of states policy of imposing it’s so called policy of Islamisation. Ultra right ideology motivated produce of seminaries are now attacking Sufi symbols in Sindh and removing the last hurdle to finally Islamise Pakistan. Institutional radicalisation through religious seminaries across the country is the most effective tool that has been used by extremist forces since Afghan jihad days. Petty interests of corrupt politicians in the ranks of all major political parties are driving them ever closer to these forces of insanity, everywhere in Pakistan including Sindh. So-called harbingers of secularism are now shaking hands openly and in some places doing under hand deals with anarchists just to retain their seats in next parliament. The situation is a great challenge to the forces of Sindhi nationalism in decades where the entire socio-economic balance of Sindh is at stake.
