The recent police crackdown on the Sindh Rawadari March in Karachi has sent shockwaves throughout the nation, recalling the dark days of military dictator General Ziaul Haq’s regime in the 80s. The brutal treatment of peaceful protesters, including women and renowned figures is a stark reminder of the government’s disregard for human rights.
It is important to mention that this whole March organised for justice for Dr Shahnawaz Kunbher who was allegedly killed during police encounter, according to initial reports and now after post mortem claims that the body was tortured and bones were already broken. These claims have heated the situation about murder of Dr Shahnawaz. Police or any state organisation has no right to kill people when there is a process of court. This extrajudicial killing has again launched a war between peaceful progressives and religious extremists. This clash can result in the state witnessing chaos. On this heated matter, Government of Sindh finally took a position and criticised mob killing as well as ensured investigation of the case properly. During this process, the government has suspended police officers involved in the killing of Dr Shahnawaz.
A core organiser of the Sindh Rawadari March, Sindhoo Nawaz Ghanghro criticised Sindh Government on apology after barbaric baton charge on protesters. She emphasised on continuing the struggle until the justice is served, in this movement. A recent press conference was held in Hyderabad where the organisers once against announced Sindh Rawadari March, this time the venue is changed and the march will be held in Hyderabad.
Sindh is remembered and famous for interfaith harmony due to many saints. It is true that violent people exist everywhere, who try to destroy this peaceful nature of the land. We have example of Shah Inayat Shaheed from Jhok, a Sufi saint of Sindh, he emphasised on love, compassion and unity. His famous lines ‘The one who plow has the foremost right on the yield’. He dissented in the Mughal era and influenced thousands of peasants. People like him made Sindh popular for its yearning for peace.
The Sindh Rawadari March aimed to promote interfaith harmony and demand justice for Dr Shahnawaz Kunbher, a victim of extrajudicial killing on fake blasphemy allegations. The police responded with excessive force, arresting dozens and injuring many.
Saeed Sarbazi, President of Karachi Press club, criticised the barricading of roads around the press club which obstructed journalists from reaching the protest site.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the police brutality, stating that the freedom of peaceful assembly is being trampled. How horrendous is it that the vice chairperson of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan was also beaten up and arrested by Sindh Police. However, the commission emphasised that the police should have protected the protesters instead of assaulting them. As Nelson Mandela aptly put it, ‘To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.’ What happened that day has become a dark day in history.
Bhagat Kabir, a revered poet and saint, wrote:
Mana re, mana re, mana ki bath re
(Listen, O mind, to the voice within)
Jhutha jo bole, waha koon hari
(Where falsehood is spoken, there God is not)
Kabir man nirmal ho, jaise ganga nir (O Kabir, make thy mind pure, like the Ganges river)
These lines remind us that true faith lies in unity, compassion, and truth. However, the Sindh Rawadari March incident exposes the exploitation of religion for divisive purposes. It is still needed to retaliate and remind government that people are more aware now.
The Sindh Home Minister’s acknowledgement of police misconduct and subsequent apology phone calls to victims have been dismissed as insincere. Saif Samejo expressed disappointment, saying that ministers laughed off the situation, treating it as a joke rather than a serious concern.
The Sindh Rawadari March incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for systemic change. We must demand:
- Accountability: Immediate investigation into police
brutality and action against responsible officials.
- Justice: Provision of justice to Dr Shahnawaz Kunbher’s family and an end to extrajudicial killings.
- Protection of Human Rights: Ensuring the freedom of peaceful assembly and protection of protesters from police violence.
As Desmond Tutu said, ‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.’ We cannot remain silent.
The Sindh Rawadari March police brutality incident is a wake-up call for Pakistan’s civil society and political leaders. We must unite to demand justice, accountability, and protection of human rights. The time for change is now. In the words of Immanuel Kant, ‘Perpetual peace is not a fantasy, but a necessary condition for achieving human dignity’.
The writer is a journalist based in Karachi and a student rights activist.
Of Police Brutality
The recent police crackdown on the Sindh Rawadari March in Karachi has sent shockwaves throughout the nation, recalling the dark days of military dictator General Ziaul Haq’s regime in the 80s. The brutal treatment of peaceful protesters, including women and renowned figures is a stark reminder of the government’s disregard for human rights.
It is important to mention that this whole March organised for justice for Dr Shahnawaz Kunbher who was allegedly killed during police encounter, according to initial reports and now after post mortem claims that the body was tortured and bones were already broken. These claims have heated the situation about murder of Dr Shahnawaz. Police or any state organisation has no right to kill people when there is a process of court. This extrajudicial killing has again launched a war between peaceful progressives and religious extremists. This clash can result in the state witnessing chaos. On this heated matter, Government of Sindh finally took a position and criticised mob killing as well as ensured investigation of the case properly. During this process, the government has suspended police officers involved in the killing of Dr Shahnawaz.
A core organiser of the Sindh Rawadari March, Sindhoo Nawaz Ghanghro criticised Sindh Government on apology after barbaric baton charge on protesters. She emphasised on continuing the struggle until the justice is served, in this movement. A recent press conference was held in Hyderabad where the organisers once against announced Sindh Rawadari March, this time the venue is changed and the march will be held in Hyderabad.
Sindh is remembered and famous for interfaith harmony due to many saints. It is true that violent people exist everywhere, who try to destroy this peaceful nature of the land. We have example of Shah Inayat Shaheed from Jhok, a Sufi saint of Sindh, he emphasised on love, compassion and unity. His famous lines ‘The one who plow has the foremost right on the yield’. He dissented in the Mughal era and influenced thousands of peasants. People like him made Sindh popular for its yearning for peace.
The Sindh Rawadari March aimed to promote interfaith harmony and demand justice for Dr Shahnawaz Kunbher, a victim of extrajudicial killing on fake blasphemy allegations. The police responded with excessive force, arresting dozens and injuring many.
Saeed Sarbazi, President of Karachi Press club, criticised the barricading of roads around the press club which obstructed journalists from reaching the protest site.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the police brutality, stating that the freedom of peaceful assembly is being trampled. How horrendous is it that the vice chairperson of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan was also beaten up and arrested by Sindh Police. However, the commission emphasised that the police should have protected the protesters instead of assaulting them. As Nelson Mandela aptly put it, ‘To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.’ What happened that day has become a dark day in history.
Bhagat Kabir, a revered poet and saint, wrote:
Mana re, mana re, mana ki bath re
(Listen, O mind, to the voice within)
Jhutha jo bole, waha koon hari
(Where falsehood is spoken, there God is not)
Kabir man nirmal ho, jaise ganga nir (O Kabir, make thy mind pure, like the Ganges river)
These lines remind us that true faith lies in unity, compassion, and truth. However, the Sindh Rawadari March incident exposes the exploitation of religion for divisive purposes. It is still needed to retaliate and remind government that people are more aware now.
The Sindh Home Minister’s acknowledgement of police misconduct and subsequent apology phone calls to victims have been dismissed as insincere. Saif Samejo expressed disappointment, saying that ministers laughed off the situation, treating it as a joke rather than a serious concern.
The Sindh Rawadari March incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for systemic change. We must demand:
brutality and action against responsible officials.
As Desmond Tutu said, ‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.’ We cannot remain silent.
The Sindh Rawadari March police brutality incident is a wake-up call for Pakistan’s civil society and political leaders. We must unite to demand justice, accountability, and protection of human rights. The time for change is now. In the words of Immanuel Kant, ‘Perpetual peace is not a fantasy, but a necessary condition for achieving human dignity’.
The writer is a journalist based in Karachi and a student rights activist.
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