Anniversary of Bhagat Kanwar Ram: 5,000 people gather at Ruku Station

[Gul Agha <agha@CS.UIUC.EDU>]

An estimated 5,000 people gathered in Ruku Railway Station to
commemorate the 65th anniversary of the martyrdom of Santu Bhagat
Kanwar Ram [Bhaggatu Kanvaru Raamu].  Over 5,000 ddiia (earthen lamps)
were lit.  Photo and news story in Sindhi Daily Ibrat:

http://www.dailyibrat.com/Photos/photo-7.htm
http://www.dailyibrat.com/local/n4.htm

Remarks by different Sindhi scholars, poets, politicians and
activists: http://www.dailyibrat.com/local/n3.htm

Here is a summary of some of the remarks:

Among those present was veteran Sindhi scholar, 90 year old Saaiin
Ibrahim Joyo [Ibhiraahiimu Joyo].  Saaiin Joyo observed that Bhagat
Kanwar Ram was the innocent soul of Sindh who spent his whole life
giving faith to people.  He was a person with a pure heart.  Saaiin
Joyo said he had heard the Bhagat's sermons thrice in his life in
three different towns, once shortly before the Bhagat's martyrdom.
Saaiin Joyo also recalled the heavy hearts with which many Sindhis
were forced to leave Sindh for India after partition, something no one
in Sindh expected or had ever considered.  He added this had been a
pattern, Sindh has always been robbed by Pakistan; of its people,
resources, jobs, water, and land.

Other speakers included famous Sindhi poet Ayaz Gul, Secretary of
Sindhi Adabi Sangat (literary association) Taj Joyo [Taaju Joyo] and
Sindhi activist Javed Qazi.  Saaiin Ayaz Gul [Ayaazu Gulu] said that
the Bhagat was a lover of humanity, a very advanced soul, and it is
incumbent upon us to propagate his message and bring it forward in
this world.  He said that the Bhagatu should not be thought of as a
Hindu or a Muslim but as a humanist.  Taj Joyo said the passion at the
gathering is a reminder that the Sindhi people will not forget their
icons.  Dr. Adal Soomro [Adalu Suumiro] said representatives from all
over Sindh have brought the message of love of the Bhagat.  Javed Qazi
[Jaavedu Kaazii] was a sufi whose color was love.  Saaiin Qazi
organized the lighting of 5,000 traditional Sindhi lamps.  Other
speakers included Mohammad Bachal, Hussain Soomro, Sami Baloch, Raj
Kumar Wadhwani, Saleh Mangi...
                    *********************

Organizer Saaiin Javed Qazi <javedqazi68@yahoo.com> writes:

Friends,

We have made the history by making this historical event that after 65
years the third generation, grandchildren of those who were
contemporaries of Bhaghat, went to the place where he was murdered.
It is highly unfortunate place still. Many friends advised me not to
take risk. At the one side of Ruk station which is almost one
kilometer away from Ruk Town, engulfed on lush green lands and trees,
it is Jatoi tribe that lives who have murdered 100 people of Mehar
tribe and Mehars have killed 75 people of jatoi tribe, this tribal
feud is still on with same vigor from last 20 years. It is equally a
great sanctuary of dacoits. Just a few weeks back the great operation
against dacoits was also underway and still goes on in that area and
that was almost a decade after that such a huge operation was
taken. And particularly after the kidnapping of Santosh Kumar, the
renowned entrepreneur of Larkana. The whole upper Sindh has become
very bad from law and order position and particularly Hindu community
is more vulnerable not because they are Hindus but compare to others,
Hindus are soft targets for they are peaceful people.

And meanwhile it was Ramazan and most of all it was 21st Ramzan, the
shahadat [martyrdom] day of Hazrat Ali (son-in-law of the Prophet) was
falling. But I am thankful of the local administration and
particularly Mr. Abdul Qadir Mangi, DCO (commissioner) Sukkur
[Sakharu] who provided us the security and of the Railway Police who
also provided us the security.  It also vindicates that Sindh is and
had been a secular land. That it can accommodate the people of
different faiths, and they all can peacefully coexist. and indeed sufi
or Bhaghati Tahreek makes it more cajoling and friendly.

Soon after sunset at Ruk station it becomes completely deserted not a
single person would one witness their, it all gives a haunted look,
but this evening the whole Sindh civil society was there. 5000 earthen
lamps (ddiia) were lit (it is a very conservative count, however in
political terms this could be said ten thousand earthen lamps), on
platforms on their borders each was almost half a kilometer, in a row
earthen lamps were placed, on the bridge and its stairs which was
joining the two platforms, on the Ruk station building’s wall, and
most of all, on the very place from where the assailant targeted him
we wrote Bhagat Kanwar Ram by placing earthen lamps in such a manner.

Seeing such a scenario of lights the people of villages gathered at
station and there was huge portrait of 8 by 4 feet, which was
contributed by Takhleeq Foundation, which was hanged up over the
platform and before it the earthen lamps were set. The gathering was
of 1500 people.

The message was very simple to all that those who killed Bhaghat; not
a dog goes on their graves and here it were a thousand people and next
time, as I said in my speech that it will be 10000 earthen lamps to
inflame and the people will be not less than 10000 also.  The message
was clear that Bhagat Kanwar is alive he is a fragrance.  Those who
make negation of their existence for the cause of mankind, shall never
die, he was above being hindu or muslim, he was continuity of
Bhittai,Rumi and Kabir.

The 90 year old yet as energetic as young Mr. Inbrahim Joyo presided
the anniversary gathering , Mr. Ayaz Gul, Adal Soomro, Taj Joyo,
Ghulam Rassool Sahto, Aijaz Qureshi, Nazeer Memon, Sher Mohmmed
Mangrio, Imdad Soomro, Mumtaz Bukhari, Ishaq Mangrio, Badar ujan, and
there over 50 writers and intellectuals who were present at the
occasion.  Hanif Lashari and Rehamat Merali sang Kanwar's geets.

i wil soon post the contents of every ones' speech.

All were agreeing that in their life they haven’t seen such a nice way
of paying a tribute to any great name of Sindh. It was all so
beautiful, not a single mosquito of any thing uncomfortable was
present in the environment the weather was so beautiful.  The whole
railway station was engulfed with earthen lamps.

Sindh TV recorded the program, KTN also taken the shots, [Sindhi
newspapers] Kahbroon, Ibrat, Hillal Pakistan; Halchal has given a
special coverage today. They have all shown it as a extraordinary
event.

Tomorrow there is piece of Imdad soomro that will appear in Ibrat and
mine will also appear soon in Khabroon in this respect.

There was only one resolution that was passed and all papers have
repoted to that, by showing it as a separate news within the box. it
was resolved that the name of Ruk Station be changed and its name
shuold be Bhaghat Kanwar Ram station. in this respect we wil also
launch a special compaign.

Friend I have not received the photos as yet which I will receive
today any time and as soon as I will receive I will send you the
attachments. We will make the video of the program to send you the
CDS.

I will also send you the expenses and the funds that I received.

I will specially say thanks of those who co-operated me and supported
me. Soon I will also launch a proposal to have international festival
on the name of Bhagat Kanwar next year.

javed qazi