Adil Najam
Did you know that today, December 6, was “Sindhi Topi Day”?
I did not. But I now do. I also now know that it was celebrated with great fervor. I am glad that it was.
Even though some have raised concerns about how such a celebration might “isolate” Sindh from the rest of the country, especially in the wake of the violence that the country is in the grips of, I think the idea of celebrating our heritage is a good one. In fact, I hope that it will be followed by the “Pakol Day,” the “Karakul Cap Day,” the “Kulla Day,” and days for celebrating all the diverse and rich array of caps and turbans worn all across the country.
I mean that in all sincerity. After all, we at ATP have been celebrating the Caps and Turbans of Pakistan right from the beginning (here and here).
What I cannot understand, however, is why the centerpiece of the celebrations seemed to be guns and fancy firepower, even more than ajraks and Sindhi caps?
This was so not just in this picture, but in a number of other pictures too. And it is by no means specific to this celebration. All across Pakistan, we see this morbid fascination. Guns at Basant are as disgusting as guns at weddings or guns at college graduations. And yet, the insecure amongst us cling to them in shallow bravado and false machoness. In ordinary times, the spectacle are merely disgusting displays of bad taste. In times like these, such acts become ominous reminders of how the validation of violence (also, here) is a deep deep scar on all of our society.
The picture above is particularly disturbing, not only because of the ugliness of the weapon but for the obvious glee on the lady’s face (from the photo’s caption, she is a “political activist”) – not to mention that in her glee she forgot to don the Sindhi Cap she is supposed to be celebrating. One assumes that the child clinging to her (in a state of shell shock, as he should be) is her’s. One wonders what lesson he is taking back from this episode?
But the bigger question really is, what lessons are we teaching our children about violence and the validation of violence?
Three past posts from ATP still haunt me to this day – the first about an angry mob burning a thief alive, the second about WAPDA engineers opening fire at protesters, and the third of a man beating his wife a his son looks on. All three are really stories about the validation of violence; stories that we have had to write again and again.
The question, indeed, is: with all this fascination with guns and all this violence thick in teh air, what have we become ourselves and what are we teaching our children to become?
THANKSsssss! Mr, Bhitai .You make me aware ,you get me out of shock .
Now, if you have time , Please do make some effort to READ this POST.
people in all over the world have different ways to express their sentiments, feelings & love for their religions, cultures & homeland.If you go through the history, people also show off their weapons in order to express their feelings so, why we cann’t do so???? YES it is quite wrong, if it hurts someone.
DO you know ??? How many people got shot during the BASANT event in LAHORE.Just search & reply me.
Bhai Hassan Nasir, please do not abuse our intelligence.
The woman in the picture is NOT protecting herself. If this is not a display of guns for its own sake nothing is.
As to the article, please do read it. The writer points out that this is not a Sindhi problem but all over Pakistan. And as to the thing about isolating Sindh. Click on the link… it is not the writer but an article in The News. The author here is actually saying he does not agree with that. JUST READ IT and don’t embarrass all Sindhis by this argument.
As a Sindhi who does not like the PPP I know a political gimmick when I see it. My culture is very rich and very proud and does not need the PPP or the guns or its goons to be protected.
Jiye Sindh. Pakistan Zindabad.
Saeen Bhitai sahib, surely it is not part of the Sindhi culture to have guns…..but you must also be aware that the guns were only part of the rally in Hyderabad and Karachi following the firing on the rally in Malir Karachi…..the participants of the rally took the arms in protection only not for the sake of showing arms….and everyone has right to self defence when there is threat.
secondly, why Mr. Adil is directly highlighting the show guns….why not praise the great movement that brought together all Sindhis all over the world. why like Jang group he has only shown the arms….what about hundreds of the rallies where there no show arms only celebrations of the culture.
why not highlight the importance of the day! why is author saying that Sindhis can isolate themselves by celebrating such days! why is he too blind to see that actually the media and a particular section of Pakistani society is bent upon isolating Sindhis. Who gave them right to object on our cultural wearings? Is Sindhi culture not part of the Pakistani federation and federal culture? he is running this site with name of “All Things Pakistan” and also looked towards by many as person known almost all about Pakistan. Why didn’t he knew that such a day was celebrated and why it was celebrated? why didn’t have give any post about the racist comments of Saleh Zafar and Shahid Masood which actually forced Sindhis to celebrate this day….
such policies were prevalent in media at the times when Bengalis started their struggle for their rights! they were also labeled that they are going in isolation! but no one was ready to accept their rights and highlight the movement as movement for protection of rights of benagalis!
Mr. Khoso. Once you are out of shock, maybe you should take some time to ACTUALLY READ the post.
The author actually says he supports the celebration of the day and of all cultures of Pakistan.
What he objects to – as do I and any half-sensible person – is the stupid use of guns as part of the celebration… Since when did that become part of our Sindhi culture. I am a Sindhi myself and that is certainly NOT part of my culture.
I was realy shocked and became angry , when i was going through the ATP director’s comment. I found myself in gloomy condition and it is obvious when somebody talks roughly against someone else culture , a patriot person can’t tolerate such unneccesary and -ve comments against it’s culture, norms, values & traditions. No any religion, coutry or any law prevent a person to celebrate it’s cultural or religious events & occassions.Pakistan is multi-cultural country and that is the main benefit & enjoyment of living in a multi-cultural country, people enjoy different events of respective culture together, people have chance of learnig different languages and getting involve in the multi-colour life of different cultures. I study in SUKKUR-IBA & pupil from different part of the PAKISTAN, from difeerent religions, from different cultures study in this institute.We all celebrate & participate in all kind of cultural events & functions and we realy enjoy in .By the who says that celebrating this first-ever SINDHI cultural day isolates SINDH & SINDHIANS from rest of the PAKISTAN.We all must have to love PAKISTAN & we do so.