Rejoinder An Analysis of Jeay Sindh Tahreek; What is the Reality

Abstract

Pakistan Perspectives is respected and reputed journal which enriches us with intellectual analysis of historical, cultural and political matters and movements. But its Volume 14, Number 1 (January – June 2009) carries an article which hardly matches the standard and status of this periodical. ‘An Analysis of Jeay Sindh Tahreek as an Ethno Nationalist Movement of Pakistan’ by Mr. Amir Ali Chandio is less an analysis and more a propaganda pamphlet devoid of basic and essential information about Jeay Sindh Tahreek and replete with factual errors and distorted version. For example he writes on page 95 that ‘Jeay Sindh Tahreek is a nationalist and secessionist party led by G.M. Sayed. It was formed in 1972.’ The fact is that Jeay Sindh Tahreek is neither a party nor it has any specific date of formation. Rathar it is a name Sindh’s nationalist movement acquired through its evolutionary process and it includes different political, students, women, labour and other organizations and individuals. Initially it was a poem by peasant nationalist leader, comrade Hyder Bux Jatoi, written during the One-Unit era carrying the words ‘Jeay Sindh’ and portraying the sentiments of love and affection for motherland. Immediately it became a popular slogan and with the passage of time acquired the position of a symbol of Sindh’s nationalist movement which still continues. The party G.M. Sayed funded in 1972 was Jeay Sindh Mahaz.