HYDERABAD: Hur Movement paved the path for all political movements that were to ensue in the sub-continent including the movement that led to creation of Pakistan. Hur force rendered invaluable sacrifices during 1965 war, advancing 1200 kilometers in enemy territories, claiming control over scores of enemy check-posts and sending unprecedented panic through enemy ranks.
This was stated by University of Sindh’s Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Fateh Muhammad Burfat in his presidential address at the eve of one-day national seminar on “The Impact of Hur Resistance Movement on the Social and Political History of Colonial Sindh”, jointly organized by SU Department of General History and SU Pakistan Study Centre in collaboration with Bureau of Students’ Tutorial, Guidance, Counseling Services and Co-curricular Activities (STAGS), University of Sindh, Jamshoro at Shaikh Ayaz auditorium of faculty of arts.
Dr. Burfat added that social sciences spoke of 3 types of movements – i) Reformative ii) Resistance-oriented and iii) Revolutionary; and surprisingly Hur Movement was an amalgamation of all three sorts.
“I pay rich tribute to Sooriyah Badshah Pir Sibghatullah Shah Awal and his followers upon their extra ordinary valor, long struggle, uncompromisingly committed stance and exceptional sacrifices towards emancipation of people of Sindh and Pakistan”, the vice chancellor remarked.
Noted writer and civil servant Mehtab Akbar Rashdi said that Hur Movement was and unparallel political undertaking in the sub-continent; adding that it was so organized, disciplined and focused in its intent, objective and execution that formidable oppressor political machine too perceived it as a mammoth threat.
“Sooriyah Badshah got to gallows because of his sheer love of the land, an for his immeasurable concern for countrymen. For, the atrocities and brutalities the then colonial power unleashed against Hurs were in no way less than what Nazis did to Jews”, Ms. Rashdi opined.
Ms. Rashdi impressed upon youth to peruse history disinterestedly to get to the truth. She said history of Sindh had been recorded to their advantage by the ruling elite, emphasizing that it needed to be re-authored in its actual truthful perspective. “I congratulate VC-SU Dr. Burfat and his entire team upon organizing this successful seminar on a theme of enormous historical significance”, Ms. Rashdi maintained.
Veteran journalist and writer Nasir Aijaz asserted that Pir Sibghatullah Shah-I, upon assumption of seat, saw through conspiratorial nexus between the British and the Sikhs to subjugate Sindh; which was why he alerted his followers and general masses to prepare themselves to safeguard their soil.
“Hur Movement needs to be examined outside spiritual and religious proclivity; and that this movement provided the platform for many a movement that were to ensue”, Aijaz informed.
Scholar Noor Ahmed Janjhi said Hur Movement was in fact an intriguing saga of patriotism with exemplary mass participation. Author Ustad Nizamani elucidated that the oppressors exploited imprisonment, exile and torture as tools to buckle Sooriyah Badshah but to no avail as the latter stayed unmoved. Development expert Lutuf Mangrio said that it was heartening to see growing acceptance and popularity of Hur Movement in the higher education spectrum.
Eelier, Director Pakistan Study Centre Prof. Dr. Shuja Ahmed Mahesar presented welcome address, whereas; Director STAGS Dr. Sumera Umrani shared the event objectives and Chairman Department of General History Prof. Dr. Irfan Ahmed Shaikh tendered vote of thanks.
Senior faculty SU Institute of English Language and Literature and In-charge media section of the varsity Dr. Ghulam Ali Buriro moderated the proceedings of the program. Souvenir shields and other cultural presents were also given away to the guest speakers on this occasion.