Hoor’s journey—from a village girl treading barefoot paths to a revolutionary whose voice echoed in global capitals—embodied Sindh’s defiant spirit

By Kalavanti Raja

For over eight decades, Madam Hoor Ul Nisa Palijo—Adi Hoor to those who revered her—wove her life into the fabric of Sindh’s struggle, her resolve as unyielding as the Indus River that sustains its plains. Born on August 8, 1943, in the dusty hamlet of Mungar Khan Palijo near Jungshahi, Thatta, and departing this world on May 16, 2025, in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Johar, Hoor was the soul of the Sindhiyani Tehreek, a women’s movement that defied patriarchy, feudalism, and authoritarianism with unparalleled courage. As Vice President of the Awami Tehreek, she transformed the Marxist-Leninist-Maoist ideals of her brother, Rasool Bux Palijo, into a living revolution. Her passing severs a vital thread in Sindh’s tapestry of resistance, yet her legacy endures as a clarion call for justice.

Hoor’s journey—from a village girl treading barefoot paths to a revolutionary whose voice echoed in global capitals—embodied Sindh’s defiant spirit. She was more than a leader; she was a maternal figure, her warmth enveloping comrades and strangers alike. As a senior journalist who has chronicled Sindh’s tumultuous history, I mourn not just a titan but a friend whose life was a testament to the power of conviction. Her story, etched in sacrifice, demands to be told, for it is the story of Sindh itself.

Roots of Resistance

In the rugged terrain of Mungar Khan Palijo, where drought and tradition conspired to stifle ambition, Hoor’s early life was shaped by two formidable forces: her fiercely independent mother, Laad Bai, and her brother Rasool Bux Palijo, the intellectual architect of Awami Tehreek. While her father’s government postings kept him distant, Rasool Bux opened doors to education in Thatta and Hyderabad, defying societal norms that confined women to silence. This foundation forged Hoor and her sister Ghulam Fatima into trailblazers, their minds sharpened by books and their hearts steeled by injustice.

The Sindhiyani Tehreek

In 1982, Hoor co-founded the Sindhiyani Tehreek, the women’s wing of Awami Tehreek, elevating it into a grassroots juggernaut against oppression. Her leadership during the 1980s Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD) against General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime was nothing short of historic. Traversing Sindh’s villages, she rallied women to challenge feudal lords and military might, her comrades—Mumtaz Nizamani, Zahida Sheikh, and others—amplifying her vision. As a lecturer in Thatta, Hoor turned classrooms into revolutionary incubators, mentoring students like Kulsoom Palijo who carried her torch into protests and prisons. From Larkana to Khairpur, these women redefined resistance, their songs and studies transforming jail cells into sanctuaries of rebellion.

Courage Under Fire

Hoor’s bravery was legendary. I recall a story often recounted in Sindh’s activist circles: traveling by train from Hyderabad to Jungshahi, Hoor and 17 comrades spotted soldiers poised to arrest them. Adhering to the Tehreek’s policy against capture in remote areas, she led the group to leap from the moving train near Latif Chang station. Bruised but resolute, they found refuge in a nearby village, where impoverished locals risked everything to shield them. This act of audacity was Hoor in essence—uncompromising, fearless, and fiercely protective of her cause.

Sindh’s Steadfast Guardian

As Sindh faced new threats, Hoor’s activism evolved. In her final years, she led the charge against environmental plunder, from the diversion of Indus canals to corporate land grabs. In February 2025, frail yet unbroken, she marched from Regal Chowk to Karachi Press Club, her presence galvanizing thousands. Even as her health waned, Hoor answered every call of her party, her rallies radiating hope. She was a relentless voice for laborers, women, and the marginalized, her life a bulwark against the erosion of Sindh’s land and dignity.

A Scholar’s Soul

Hoor was not only a revolutionary but a profound intellectual. Her articles and columns, incisive and eloquent, captured Sindh’s struggles with rare clarity. These writings, if compiled, would form a book of immense literary and historical value, preserving her voice for posterity. Her close relationship with Rasool Bux Palijo, a towering figure in Sindh’s political history, enriched her perspective. Having shared countless hours with him, Hoor’s memories could anchor another vital work, illuminating his personal and political legacy against the backdrop of their era.

Her scholarly passion for Sindhi folk music was equally remarkable. Hoor’s deep understanding of its melodies, traditions, and cultural significance remains largely undocumented, a gap that a dedicated study could fill. Such a work would not only honor her expertise but also safeguard Sindh’s musical heritage for future generations. Through her writings and cultural insights, Hoor shaped Sindh’s intellectual landscape, her contributions a beacon for scholars and activists alike.

A Legacy Unfinished

Tragically, Hoor’s story remains incomplete. Despite pleas from journalists like myself, her journey—from village trails to global platforms—exists in fragments. Rasool Bux’s unfinished autobiography and the unwritten accounts of comrades like Ghulam Fatima leave gaps that Hoor’s children, Dr. Shabana and Dr. Naeem, must help fill. Her life deserves to be immortalized—in prose, film, or verse—to inspire a new generation of dreamers and doers.

Sindh’s Eternal Flame

Madam Hoor Ul Nisa Palijo was Sindh’s conscience, her marches through blistering summers and bitter winters mirroring the resilience of women who nurture families yet lead revolutions. As Sindh battles for its water, land, and rights, Hoor’s legacy offers a roadmap—forged in courage, inked in sacrifice, and bound by love. Her comrades pledge to carry her torch, ensuring her light never dims.

My deepest condolences go to her family and the Awami Tehreek. The Sindhiyani Tehreek’s planned tribute, with certificates and shields, will honor Hoor and her fellow warriors. Her story is a challenge to us all: may her children and comrades weave her tale into a legacy that guides future generations. For revolutions endure through their heroes, and Hoor Ul Nisa’s flame will forever illuminate Sindh’s path to justice.

Read: Rasool Bukhsh Palijo – An Undying Beacon of Light 

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