Hindu-Muslim Relations in Sindh

SOME EVENTS OF MISCHIEFS AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN SINDHI HINDUS AND MUSLIMS DURING BRITISHS PERIOD.

Hindus and Muslims have remained as two sides of a same coin in Sindh since centuries. However, religious and ideological distance and differences were ground realities and they played role in creating incidents of mischiefs and misunderstanding between both communities. However, there are so many cases in which either Muslims, or Hindus imposed policy of converting people by force. Such as Muslims of Karachi decided to convert Seth Hotchand father of Seth Naoomal and it proved to be most expensive act for Muslims , with the result that Seth Naoonmal became right hand of British people belonging to the East India Company and consequently Sindh lost her independence as a country forever.   In Talpur Rule in Khairpur, we note same mentality of Muslim Religious leaders and created religious terror. Sachal Sarmast and other Sufi saints minimized that feeling to some extent.

We are aware of events of mischiefs, misunderstandings and even fighting like controversy over Masjid Manzilgah of Sukkur. But, it was climax of misunderstandings and mischiefs those are not known to us. I am trying to put some events on record.

1.       In so many Municipalities of Sindh Hindus were occupying key seats such as President, Vice President and Members of Managing Committee. Some Municipalities passed resolution demanding ban on slaughter of Cows in Sindh.

2.       In 1922 majority of Muslims were elected on Key seats of the Matiari Municipality. It was not welcomed by Hindu Press and the Muslim Paper SINDH ZAMIDAR of Sukkur took task to criticize the role of Hindu Press. It advocated Hindu-Muslim Unity as a figment of imagination. It damaged Hindu-Muslim relations to some extent. The Daily Gazette of Karachi, in its issue of 30^th May, 1922, (page.5) threw light on this terrible development.

3.       In April, 1924, dispute arose between Hindus and Muslims of Tando Adam over repair of a Mosque constructed on the Municipality Plot. Hindus claimed that it was Temple and not Mosque. The Collector of Nawabshah allowed Muslims to carry on repair work, whereas, The District Judge passed Injection Order in favor of Hindus. It created Law & Order problem in Tando Adam for so many days. The details are available in various issues ( Such as 21^st May,1924) of  the Daile Gazette of Karachi.

4.       In the same year the Qura was put on fire in Ratodero. Parchomal and others were booked under ICP 295. Barrister  Pirzado was advocate for Muslims , whereas, Bhojsing Pahlajani was pleaded case in favor of Hindus. The matter remained as a Burning Topic for Hindu and Muslim Press. The Details can be read also in issue (29.4.1924) of the Daily Gazette, Karachi.

5.       In same year a dispute took place between Hindus and Muslims over repair of a Mosque near Hot Water Spots of Lakki. It created Law & Order Problem. Hence, leading people from both sides were booked under CPC 145 and they were brought before the Court of Resident Magistrate of Kotri. The various deputations of Hindus visited officers and judicial quarters. With the result that Interim Injection Order was issued by the Judicial Commissioner and a fresh case was registered against G.M.Syed, Akhud Suleman and others. The details are available in various issues of the Daily Gazette of June, 1924.

6.        In July 1924 the Sham Printing Press of Shikarpur published book “ Allah Mian Ki Tasveer”. The case was registered against the Manager and he was served Warning by the District Magistrate, Sukkur. Details are available in the Daily Gazette, in its issues of July and August.

7.       In the same year, from the month of July to October, there is very hot debate in Karachi Municipal. Hassan Ali Mir Muhammad Baloch, Naraidas Anandji, R.K.Sidwa and Dr. P.V.Tharani took part in debates. Muslims were demanding that Eidgah Maidan (Ground) be given to Muslims for their religious activities and Hindus insisted on declaring the Plot as Play Ground.

8.       On 30^th March violence erupted in Larkano and it spread in Dadu and other areas. A Muslim lady along with her kids was converted to Hiduism. It was a great and terrible event in the history of Sindh. Hindus and Muslims showed their strength, hundreds were booked and imposition of Martial Law/deployment of Military Force was demanded by Hindu. The issue became of All-India level and THE LARKANO DAY was celebrated in and out of Sindh. Hundreds of pages are available in pages of our history.

9.       In April 1924 a Hindu boy of Bagirji embraced Islam he was named as Noor-ul-Haq. Moulana Taj Mahmood Amroti was involved in the matter. The case was registered in the Court of the District Magistrate of Sukkur. The situation remained in tense for a long time.