Prominent Sindh leader and chairman of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) Shafi Burfat has warmly welcomed defence minister Rajnath Singh’s statement suggesting that the region of Sindh might return to India soon.
In an extensive post on X, JSMM chief Burfat prasied Singh’s “historic and insightful” remarks, framing them as a source of “encouragement” for the Sindhi nation.
In an address to the Sindhi community at an event hosted by the Vishwa Sindhu Foundation, Rajnath Singh recalled BJP veteran L K Advani’s words on the civilisational continuity between India and Sindh despite Partition.
Citing Advani, he said: “Sindhi Hindus, especially those of his generation, still haven't accepted the matter of separation of Sindh from India.” Singh went on to add, “Today, the land of Sindh may not be a part of India, but civilisationally, Sindh will always be a part of India ... As far as land is concerned, borders can change. Who knows, tomorrow Sindh may return to India.”
'Ray of hope'
Reacting to the comments, Burfat said the Sindhi nation “strongly acknowledges and appreciates” Singh’s position, describing it as a moral and political boost to Sindhudesh’s long-standing aspiration for independence and its potential confederal relationship with India.
Reiterating the movement’s ideological foundations laid down by Saeen GM Syed, Burfat said Sindhudesh has always been open to a “confederal relationship with India, based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and the shared historical, cultural, and civilizational ties” between Sindh and the Indian subcontinent.
Burfat emphasised Sindh’s identity as the “historical homeland of the Sindhi nation” and the cradle of ancient civilisation.
He added that the Sindhi people’s historical roots lie not in Arab or Turkic influences but in “the land of Sapt Sindhudesh, India”, describing Sindh and India as “one shared civilizational space”.
JSMM alleged that Sindh’s identity, language and heritage were under systematic attack within Pakistan, accusing the “Punjab-dominated Islamic theocracy” of political oppression, demographic manipulation and exploitation of Sindh’s natural resources.
He said the freedom movement was being “brutally crushed” through “state terrorism” and violence against political activists.
"Pakistani state continues to throw mutilated bodies of Sindhi political activists into the lap of Sindh. Pakistan has become a lethal poison for the very existence of the Sindhi nation," he said.
Burfat added that against this backdrop, Singh’s words appeared as “a ray of hope for the national unity, survival, security, and the re-emergence and completion of the Sindhi nation”.
He added that the statement had “ignited a renewed spirit of hope, courage, and aspiration” among Sindhis. Burfat also expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would echo similar sentiments.
Calling Sindhis an ancient nation rooted in tolerance and spiritual humanism, Burfat invoked Sindhi scholars and Sufi icons such as Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast, Sami and Jhulelal. Quoting Ram Jethmal Mulchani, he reiterated that “A Sindhi is born from the womb of his mother as a natural Sufi and a secular being.”
Burfat also proposed the creation of a Sindhudesh National Intellectual Commission, comprising Sindhi scholars, activists in Sindh and India, and members of the global Sindhi diaspora. He said the body would prepare a roadmap for Sindhudesh’s freedom and future confederal ties with India.
The Sindh region, located along the Indus River, became part of Pakistan after the 1947 Partition.
In his address, Rajnath Singh invoked both cultural memory and historical sentiment, saying that “Not just in Sindh, but throughout India, Hindus considered the Indus River sacred. Many Muslims in Sindh also believed that the water of the Indus was no less sacred than the Aab-e-Zamzam of Mecca.”
He pointed out that India’s national anthem continues to reflect Sindh’s place in the subcontinent’s cultural imagination, saying people still sing with pride, “...Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maratha”, and will “forever sing it”.
(With inputs from agencies)