Sindhi identity, embodied by symbols like the Ajrak, is a unifying force. It has survived persecution, political games, and cultural suppression.
By Dr. Muhammad Mataro Hingorjo | Ireland
Ajrak is not merely a cultural fabric; it is a profound expression of the Sindhi soul. Its intricate designs, developed over centuries, reflect the intellectual beauty, creativity, and resilience of the people of Sindh. Woven into its patterns are stories of continuity, identity, and honour—preserved faithfully across generations.
There was a time, not long ago, when a triple-lettered, linguistically-racist terrorist organization terrorized Sindhi people in their own historic cities—Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, and beyond. Wearing Ajrak or Sindhi topi became a life-threatening act. Sindhis were targeted, harassed, and in many tragic cases, even killed, simply for embracing their identity.
Yet, despite this wave of violence and discrimination, the people of Sindh never bowed. They did not disown their cultural symbols. Ajrak, for them, was not just a piece of cloth—it was resistance, dignity, and memory. Even when faced with death, Sindhis wore their Ajrak with pride. That legacy continues today, stronger than ever.
Those who oppose Ajrak or mock Sindhi heritage—whether through prejudice, political motives, or ignorance—do not represent sanity, sincerity, or unity. Thankfully, they are becoming an irrelevant minority. A growing majority, especially among the younger generations in urban centers, reject such divisive and hateful ideologies. They recognize Sindh as their shared homeland, and they embrace its culture with pride, regardless of their ethnic or linguistic background.
At the same time, we must not ignore another force trying to exploit this cultural pride for political gain: the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). After decades of bad governance, corruption, and betrayal—particularly regarding the Indus River and illegal land acquisitions under federal schemes—the PPP has lost its moral credibility among the people. Their recent emotional speeches glorifying Ajrak and Sindhi culture ring hollow. These are not acts of solidarity but desperate attempts to regain lost ground and mislead the public once again.
The people of Sindh remember too well the PPP’s role in facilitating land grabs, enabling environmental destruction, and silencing dissent. Their complicity in federal injustices and their alignment with anti-people policies cannot be washed away with symbolic gestures. The damage of the past two decades—economic, environmental, and cultural—has been profound.
Today, both urban criminal gangs, built on hate and terror, and the feudal-political mafias like the PPP, are struggling for survival. They feed on division and fear. But Sindh is changing.
The new generation—of all communities, ethnicities, and backgrounds—understands this land belongs to all who live here in peace. We are the sons and daughters of the soil. We share its rivers, lands, oceans, mountains, minerals, Sufi legacy, and centuries-old harmony. We reject all attempts to divide us—whether in the name of ethnicity, language, or political manipulation.
Insha’Allah, the conspiracy to fracture Sindh will fail. Sindhi identity, embodied by symbols like the Ajrak, is a unifying force. It has survived persecution, political games, and cultural suppression. And it will continue to rise—worn proudly by all who believe in a just, inclusive, and peaceful Sindh.
Read: Heritage in Fabric: Symbols of Unity
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Dr. Muhammad Mataro Hingorjo is a Family Physician originally from village Dhandhi Hingorja, Tharpakar, Sindh, currently residing in Limerick Ireland.
