Sindh Hari Committee

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Sindh Hari Committee
سنڌ هاري ڪاميٽي
LeaderHyder Bux Jatoi
Azhar Jatoi
FounderG. M. Syed
Founded1930 (1930)
IdeologyLabor rights
Sindhi nationalism
Political positionLeft-wing
Party flag

The Sindh Hari Committee (Sindhi: سنڌ هاري ڪميٽي) was a leftist and Sindhi nationalist political organization in Sindh, Pakistan that sought to promote the interests of the Haris (landless peasant farmers) of Sindh. It was founded in 1930 by G. M. Syed.[1] In 1947, Hyder Bux Jatoi took over as president of the committee until his death in 1970.[2] In 1957, it became a constituent party of the National Awami Party.[3]

Subsequent leaders included Azhar Jatoi (1962–2020), grandson of Hyder Bux Jatoi.[4]

Azhar Jatoi (1962–2020)[edit]

Azhar Jatoi, chief of Sindh Hari Committee (Sindh Peasants Committee) was born on 15 February 1960 in Hyderabad, Sindh. He got his education up till graduation in Hyderabad and joined the Hari struggle in 1982.

He strived hard for his grandfather's mission and took its responsibility from a very early age. Just like his grandfather Hyder Bux Jatoi and father Mazhar Jatoi, Comrade Azhar Jatoi always spoke for the rights of the poor, no matter the situation he never let injustice take place in any peasant's life. Just like his grandfather, Comrade Azhar Jatoi was also a leader who waged a struggle to awaken the downtrodden masses and make them aware of their rights. He remained associated with Anti Greater Thal Action and Kalabagh Dam Action Committee as well as Ponam, a now largely dormant conglomerate of various nationalist political parties. He actively participated in protests against the dual local government system introduced by PPP government in Sindh in 2012. [citation needed]

After years of his struggle serving the Hari community with his support, Comrade Azhar died due to cardiac arrest on November 18, 2020. Comrade Azhar Jatoi led the Sindh Hari Committee till his death to the best of his abilities and tried to emulate his grandfather, raising voice for the downtrodden and Haris at all forums. He was laid to rest in Kalhoro Colony near Hyder Bux Jatoi's grave.[citation needed]

Present state[edit]

The Sindh Hari Committee, as an official political party, relatively dissolved in the 1970s,[5] although the committee, as a movement still continues today, with an online platform and as a non-official movement.[6][7] Therefore, the Committee cannot be considered as dissolved, as the Committee is still very active online and in activism for Sindhi peasant rights. The Committee has a following present today, but the original official Hari committee began to lose prominence in the 1970s. The Committee is not active in Pakistani politics today, rather it remains an active historic movement, relevant through activism.[6] The Committee has little to no relevance in national politics, although the committee during the 2000s and 2010s refused to give up peasantry land to clans,[8] and it has recently, as of 2024, has come into opposition with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)[9]

External links[edit]

Sindh Hari Committee page link

References[edit]

  1. ^ Oskar Verkaaik, Migrants and Militants: Fun and Urban Violence in Pakistan, Princeton University Press, 2004, pg. 31
  2. ^ Zubeida Mustafa, Champion of haris’ rights, Dawn (newspaper), 2 June 2010
  3. ^ Progressive Movements in Pakistan Collection, International Institute of Social History website, accessed 27 June 2010
  4. ^ Correspondent, The Newspaper's Staff (2020-11-19). "Baba-i-Sindh's grandson dies". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  5. ^ Sind hari committee, 1930-1970: a peasant movement? International Labour Organization
  6. ^ a b "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  7. ^ "History of Haris' struggle | Political Economy | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  8. ^ "Sindh Hari Committee struggles for land rights, 2009 | Global Nonviolent Action Database". nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  9. ^ "Hari committee accuses PPP of harassing opponents". The Express Tribune. 2024-03-23. Retrieved 2024-03-24.