HYDERABAD: A joint action committee (JAC) formed by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) to struggle for justice in the “extrajudicial killing” of Dr Shahnawaz Kunbhar — a man accused of blasphemy — has resolved to hold the ‘Hyderabad Rawadari March’ in the city on November 23 amid some religious parties’ strong reservations over the planned event.

The committee’s resolve came at its meeting held on Thursday in HRCP’s regional office to discuss the issue of extrajudicial killings, ways to promote interfaith harmony and construction of controversial canals over the Indus River.

The meeting decided to hold a candle light vigil on the night of Nov 23 and visit the shrines of great Sufi Saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and celebrated poet Sheikh Ayaz.

HRCP coordinator Imdad Chandio said that all those involved in the extrajudicial killing of Dr Kunbhar and torching of his body should be brought to justice.

Writer Taj Joyo said that [Jeay Sindh Tehreek founder] G. M. Syed had forewarned of religious extremism during his speech at the 1952 Vienna conference and his apprehensions proved true.

JAC chief Sindhu Nawaz Ghangro said the Nov 23 march was aimed at saving Indus River and promoting harmony.

She observed that today society stood divided between fundamentalists and progressive forces, and accused the former of seeking to destroy Sindh.

Amar Sindhu and Alya Bukhshal said that Sindh’s secular identity was at stake. They said they along with others were struggling to save this identity.

They alleged that state was protecting fundamentalists whereas people of Sindh reacted against Dr Kunbhar’s murder.

They said the murder was a test case for Sindh.

Hyderabad Union of Journalists (Afzal Butt Group) President Iqbal Mallah said that Sindh is the land of peace and brotherhood.

People wanted justice in the extrajudicial killing case of Dr Kunbhar, he added.

Controversial canals

Imdad Chandio of the HRCP expressed his concern over construction of six canals over Indus to the detriment of Sindh province. He said that these canals would divert Indus water from Sindh to Punjab and, as such, these projects were inimical to Sindh and would never be accepted.

Other participants of the meeting said that a conspiracy was being hatched to snatch Indus water from Sindh.

Sindh Sufi Forum leader Dr Badar Channa said that people of Sindh would not allow diversion of even a single cusec from the Indus.

The meeting was informed that the Hyderabad district administration and police had allowed holding of the Nov 23 march.

Several religious outfits oppose march

Leaders of the Tanzeemat Ahle Sunnat (TAS), a conglomerate of several religious outfits, have opposed holding of the Rawadari March and urged the district administration to disallow the event, which was planned to be held at Nasim Nagar Chowk or Hyder Chowk.

Speaking at a news conference here on Friday, TAS leaders Mohammad Hassan Illahi, Allama Talat Mahmood Awan, Allama Razaul Mohsini, Khalid Hassan Attari and Mohammad Arif Hussain Noorani argued that the march was being held in support of a man who was held responsible for blasphemy.

They said that a meeting of the religious groups was held at the residence of Haji Gulshan Illahi on Nov 10 which resolved to counter narrative of seculars and liberals who, they believed, were targeting Islam.

They said that holding of the march was an attempt to destroy peace in the city under a conspiracy.

They urged the administration to disallow this march.

They noted that the support being provided to a blasphemy accused by these [secular and liberal] forces showed that the case of the Ahmadiyya community was being promoted.

It was on October 14 that ‘Sindh Rawadari March’ was held outside the Karachi Press Club by several rights groups and nationalist outfits against Dr Kunbhar’s custodial killing.

The district administration had imposed Section 144 in the area and as soon as the protesters started gathering, police used force to disperse them.

Several men and women were injured in the ensuing clash.

The same day and at the same time, Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), which was opposing the Rawadari March, had held its rally close to the venue of the march but a showdown between the rival sides was averted by the district administration.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2024