The Indus is more than just a source of water; it is the lifeblood of its cultural identity
Disappearance of the Indus would not only turn Sindh into a barren land but it would also pose a threat to its culture
Kamran Akhtar Siddiqui
Under the Green Pakistan Initiative, the Federal Government plans to develop six canals channeling water from the Indus to the Cholistan desert. The project aims to turn barren lands into fertile farms through modern farming techniques. While the project offers greener patches to a few beneficiaries in Punjab, it has already become a nightmare for the people of Sindh. With Sindh already experiencing a worst shortage of staggering 50 percent for Kharif season this year, constructing more canals would mean turning the whole Sindh into a barren land. Therefore, the whole Sindh is up in arms against this project. After all, it is a matter of their survival. The Indus is more than just a source of water; it is the lifeblood of its cultural identity. Disappearance of the Indus would not only turn Sindh into a barren land but it would also pose a threat to its culture. Losing the Indus means losing its associations with Sindh’s folklore, mysticism and poetry.
The Indus holds a central place in the Sindhi folklore with its associations to stories of love and tragedy. For instance, a popular legend in this regard is that of Sohni-Mehar. Sohni, who was the daughter of a potter, was compelled to wed her cousin, but her heart was with Mehar, a local businessman who had changed his life for Sohni. Sohni would go across the river using a baked clay pot to see him every day after dark. The romance went on until one day Sohni’s sister-in-law came to know of it. She replaced the Sohni’s baked clay pot with an unbaked clay pot which brought Sohni’s tragic death in the river, and thus bringing a tragic end to the love story.
The Indus not only has associations with stories of love and tragedy but also with mystic beliefs. A popular legend in this regard is that of Khuwaja Khizr, also known as the saint of water. He is claimed to have saved the Lansdowne Bridge and the twin cities of Sukkur and Rohri during the Indo-Pak war in 1965. To Muslims, he is known as Khwaja Khizr; to Hindus, he is known as Udero Lal or Zinda Pir. Both communities regard him as an embodiment of the River Indus. His khanqah, or shrine, is situated in Rohri, close to Bakhar Island, in the center of the river. According to a different version found in Mir Tahir Mohammad Nasyani’s historical work Tarikh-i-Tahiri, in 952 AD, a Delhi merchant was traveling through Alor (modern-day Aror) with his lovely daughter when the city’s ruler, Dalu Rai, happened to spot her and desired to kidnap her. The city and its ruler were destroyed when the girl prayed to Khwaja Khizr, the saint of water, who altered the original path of the Indus.
Apart from this, the Indus is a metaphor for spiritual journey. Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, a Sufi saint and the most venerated poet of Sindh, compares one’s spiritual journey with the Indus. He says:
گھـــڙيا ســــي چـــڙهيا، ايـــهين اٿيئــــي،
مئي متي مهراڻ ۾، پـئو ٽــــــپو ڏيئي،
ته ميهار مليئي، سنڀوڙو سيڻاهه سين
These lines tell us that those who were brave and true seekers of love moved forward, so you too should rise and jump into the Indus so you meet your beloved and true companion (i.e. God) with love. The indication to jump into the Indus symbolizes setting out on a journey with complete dedication and courage.
Although the above instances emerged at different points in history, the central point in all of them is the river. These are but a very few instances from folklore, mysticism and poetry showing the significance of the Indus in Sindh’s culture. So, losing the Indus by any means is losing the significance of Sohni, Khwaja Khizr and Bhittai’s lines. This river is not just a flow of water; it is much more than this. It symbolizes love, protection, and one’s constant struggle to search one’s true beloved- God.
Read: Opinion: Let the River Indus flow
_____________
Kamran Akhtar Siddiqui is lecturer at Sukkur IBA University.
Pakistan is in the grip of worst tyrannical mafia. This consists of zardari family nawaz shareef family ishaq dar and army generals. People of pakistan were trapped in 1947 when they were given false impression that they were free. Fact is that their slavery was transferred from British Raj to the army of pakistan. This never ceased since 1947. Imran Khan was an outsider and was never welcomed in the politics. Pakistan army is the biggest criminal in this game. Deep hatred today for pakistan army in the heart of the people of pakistan needs to convert into a revolution, otherwise was will be obliterated very soon. Pakistan army has no sympathy for ordinary people and pakistan army carries deep desir to slaughter majority of the people of pakistan so that all resources and wealth be only for the generals and their families. Now make assessment on the question asked here about canals carved out of Sindh towards cholistan.