With or Without Musharraf – A Mohajir’s Perspective

#129 sanatani {``Aligarh MU was the cradle of Pakistan and the andhergardi of Islam khatre mein that was used to unite the muslims of Punjab against their Hindu and Sikh bretheren was entirely a product of Pakistan movement volunteeers of the Ashraf Castes of UP helped by the azlaf sword arm (qureshis and ansaris) e.g. to maintain order in their meetings. ``}

Sanatani,
...and the Mohajirs conspired with the Cubans to kill JFK. The Mohajirs started the Korean War and are chiefly responsible for the Holocaust, Communism, and laissez-faire capitalism. :) Heck, the Mohajirs are responsible for ``nukular`` proliferation - wait, that one may be true if A. Q. Khan is the chief architect of the Islamic bomb. :)

Your post calling for mass murder of Urdu-speakers is ample proof that you can take the Paindoo out of Punjab, but you can`t take Punjaibiat out of the Paindoo. Good luck.

#127 drlokraj {``Salim, You are a brilliant writer and have even more brilliant sense of humor though sometimes, it is a problem to decide whether you are making a serious statement or just joking. ...I have a question about the term `Mohajir`, which, by definition means a person who migrates to another area/country. After the partition, majority of the migrated population of muslims into Pakistan came from east Punjab, but still the term mohajir is used for urdu speaking migrants who came from UP, Bihar or other states. Why is it so?

About the language, it is an established fact that Punjabi ruling elite have been the most ardent supporters of urdu (and opposed to Punjabi) compared to any other group in Pakistan. ...``}

Hakeem Sahib,
First, thank you for your compliment and kind support. I have explained that Mohajirs started using this term AFTER Punjabis in Pakistan kept calling them ``HindustaaNRaN`` and Pathans and others referring to them as ``Panah Guzeer.`` So, now the nomenclature can be considered such that mohajir is a person who migrates from one place to another, while Mohajir is an Urdu-speaking person, who either migrated or whose ancestors migrated from India to Pakistan. It`s similar to the words ``democrat`` and ``Democrat.`` Bush, much to his chagrin, is a democrat (I hope) while he is certainly NOT a Democrat (I know for sure). :)

Infact this should be a lesson to other ethnicities about the Mohajir Mindset.

..... during the So called Operation Clean up.
Which was actually because of their bloody clashes with

1- sindhs at Jamshooro Univiersity
2- Pathans after Bushra Zaidi Case
3- Afghans... Ali garh Qabza colonly
4- PPI ( Sarwar Awan )
then their own interfactional war between Altafi and Haqiqi,

in between their clashes with the Law enforcing agencies , the no go areas, the dug up , the dug up trenches, the torture cells.....etc...etc..etc..etc....

all then convineintly , thrown into the Basket of Paki Panjoos, because the cannon fodder
Rangers called on the request of the then Govts, of which they were always part, were the so called Punjabis.

To me it now appears, they are maligning the Punjabis,... More then the Fair Share.
and completely glossing over , their own role...

... the PakBaz... sharif-un-nafs..... Ashrafia, which took the Bohri Lawyer for a Ride, and made a fool to their Paki Panjoo partons.




... many of these Mohajirs were sheltered By the Balochs,.... especially Bugti.
and look what they did.

A Mohajir COAS for his personal EGO killed him and mohajirs in unision started blaming Punjabis again.

Salim,

...you can take the Paindoo out of Punjab, but you can`t take Punjabiat out of the Paindoo.

That`s exactly why the Punjabis called the UPites `Hindustauras`. It was a cultural conflict. See?

UPites thought (and still do) that Punjabis are all village idiots, while Punjabis thought (and perhaps still do) that UPites are all `saaley ab key aa` wimps .. haha ... :)

#127, drlokraj,

Hakeem Sahib, :)

Oh! sorry I forgot to address your statement concerning why Punjabi elites chose to impose Urdu as their language instead of Punjabi.

I think the answer lies in being practical. Urdu (Hindustani grammar with heavy use of Farsi, Arabic, and some Turkish) is the lingua franca of Hindustan - from Bollywood to TV to poetry and culture - much like Punjabi music and songs are the norm for desi dancing in the Diaspora.

Mohajirs never imposed Urdu on the ``Pisser-e-Zameen.`` If anything, Mohajirs have sometimes been in favor of English, a language they had already adopted for official and professional work in India. I support preserving Urdu as a cultural heritage and the requirement to perform all educational, commercial, and governmental transactions in English. This is the true secret of India`s success and, along with terrorism and extremism, is the suicidal reason for Pakistan lagging far behind.

#122 Sobia {``another article trying to spread hatred between mohajirs and punjabis..and look at all the mohajirs raving about the accuracy and playing the victim..beautiful..you people are so manipulative :)``}

...and if you noticed, all the Pakistani Punjabis, with support from an occasional Muslim killer wannabee Punjaibi from across the border, are foaming at the mouth over this article. If all the Mohajirs are supportive and all the Pakistani Punjabis are against this perspective, what does that tell you about the state of national pride in Pakistan?

So, don`t accuse me of trying to spread hatred - it`s already there and people like you are the main reason. Weren`t you the same person who wrote about wanting to kill ALL Muslims and that Shias stink and Sunnis ...? Shame on you. Pakistan already has its Imus in you.

#121 hamzaad {``Combine it with the IMMENSE faaltu time that he has for engaging people in unimaginably trivial issues and insults, there is the possibilty that he either is in a wheelchair on the top floor of an elevatorless tower...Unlike manto (a juvenile really) who may choose and present facts selectively in order to get his kicks, salim`s case is more sinister and pathetic than what HP describes. ...Now there salim.. kaka made your qaum look good! :}

Kaka,
I really appreciate your feedback and that comment about my wheelchair in a tower sans elevator was very funny. LOL
Yes, you did the Mohajir Qaum proud by speaking up against me. I like that. In contrast to your dissent, not a single Pakistani Punjabi, flinched from the uniform Paindoo line about how great Mohajirs have it in Pakistan, the President and PM are Mohajirs, Urdu was imposed on poor hapless Punjaibis, and that Mohajirs should act according to their numbers or even be massacred for the good of mankind.
It`s not everyday that one finds a liberal Mohajir secularist who supports the Jamia Hifsa ladies in their just struggle, even while he ignores their hideous uniforms.

#150 by Salim_Chauhan to #122 Sobia,

Hey .. Salim .... go easy on my Punjabi Paindoo Lahori friend ... :)

#117 ferozk {``Karachi state of mind is unique in Pakistan and Karachi will leave the rest of Pakistan behind...Karachi`s main task is to develop economically, without waiting for handouts from Islamabad because the people of Karachi have understood the reality of living in Pakistan; they are Pakistanis but they are not treated as Pakistanis. Karachi, as a casual visitor will inform, has developed its own personality and despite the mayhem, there is money flowing into Karachi and with money, the jobs are also coming to Karachi.

... The patterns of monetary inflows into Karachi, from the Gulf, have created a trend whereby Karachi, political, socially and economically, has become an alien city in Pakistan and is now preparing to march to its own drums; of economic autonomy from Punjab dominated politics of Pakistan and it will be this rhyme, which set Karachi apart from the rest of nation. ``}

Feroz,
Thank you for that uplifting and optimistic message about Karachi`s present efforts and future success. I agree with you that MQM has and, should have a long time ago, become a party representing urban interests. But I have to say this - MQM must also represent the real interests of the down-trodden serfs who toil on the lands belonging to the ruling elite of Pakistan.
Of course, we need to keep our options open about going it alone, confederating with others, or staying within Pakistan. Judging from the responses of Pakistani Punjabis here, I am rather pessimistic about a future in a common nation with these selfish and myopic people.

Salim, Many of us, that have only had a limited exposure to Karachi, and even littler to Mohajirs, it would be nice if you could educate us. Just as I get an impression that you have zero to none idea of my part of Punjab, and what you continually have been uttering about Punjoos is totally not true for where I come from. Now tell us, is there any truth to the buzz that there are social class hierarchies within the Mohajir community, e.g., UPiets think of them superior over say Rajhistanis, and Hydrabadis over other Southern stock? And Biharis are pretty much at the bottom of the totem pole. What do you think are the reasons for that?

Regardless of what some are saying here, the truth is that in Pakistan, successive governments have fostered and institutionalized discrimination against Mohajirs. This was reported with examples in an ESC report some years ago. The other sad part is that some Mohajirs have the audacity to be so anti-Ahmadi and so on. I think they do so to get accepted by the “pasr-e-Zameen”.

The situation, needless to say, is challenging. The only way out of this is to open up the society, and learn about one another and while doing so, make a concerted effort to get one’s head out of Jinnah’s and other dead people’s behinds.

anil bhai #115 {``Salim Sahib:
You have put forward a boldness in your essay that must be supported. ...We all must start seeing it as an opportunity. For example, can spend time to allocate opportunities about Kashmir, instead of distributing problems about it. A lot of good will be achieved. There is opportunity galore in South Asia. ...That is how reforms start. As I see Musharraff is trying to do this, whatever his means are, he needs support from both muslim and non-muslim communities. This is how I see enlightened moderation.:}

Anil Bhai,
As usual you have succeeded in taking us on a tangential detour to logic, common sense, optimism, and the common good. :)

Thank you for your support and kind encouragement. I agree with you that ``problems`` should be perceived as opportunities to solve issues, and more importantly, take matters ahead to improve lives.

When I said that ``Kashmir is not our problem,`` I meant that let us not focus, as Mohajirs, on Kashmir. We have more important opportunities right in our two cities of Karachi and Hyderabad. We need to pay attention to the long-ignored Mohajir poor, Mohajir ``stranded,`` and Mohajir middle class that is quickly vanishing. :(

As for fatwas and Jihads, I pay no attention to the former and practice my own peaceful and personal jihad in combating the violent jihad of the jihadis. :)

Re: # 107
abay tu upni amma ki tasweer bar bar kyoN daal rya hai bay - lalloo ne tau usay baRa set kya hwa hai

#108 by cliftonbridge on April 11, 2007 7:08pm PT
Salim firstly as a pakistani i have to say that noone in pakland is happy ...urdu speakers have certainly got a raw deal but have the others communities had it better? even the national language is urdu for christs sake. I condemn the ethnic chauvanism in your....
I am urdu speaking and i thank God for the MQM even though they have done some shitty things, their ideals of social justice equality and anti extremism are great. Thats why they are a legitiamte party. I also like the way they have becaome ``muttahaida` not muhajir.
... I hope that every Indian and Pakistani can have a better future and i hope for tolerance for ourselves and each other.``}

Clifton Pull Bhai,
Thank you for offering your perspective. I appreciate your position and apologize for any chauvinism that may be concealed in my article. I take full responsibility for the words, the sentiments, and the thoughts - they are all mine. Yes, I have a lot of compassion for the poor suffering serfs in Punjab and Sindh who toil miserably under the yoke of the same ruling elite that I perceive as the real enema of Mohajirs and Pakistan. But, first we need to correct our own situation. Only then can we pursue our altruistic nature of helping the weak, aiding the poor, and educating the illiterate. The recent earthquakes in northern Pakistan and the resulting generosity of the people of Karachi and the Mohajir Diaspora are confirmations of our true nature in times of need. Ameen to your last statement about a better future for Indians and Pakistanis - I hope you included yourself in that wonderful wish. Thanks.

Salim:

I can deeply empathise with your innermost hurt feelings .So let me not parse words in your post. But then let me try to project my interpretation on your views!,” ….Reunification with India is a pipedream left to the romantic foolishness of those who have illusions of a Pak Muttahid Hindustan, Akhand Bharat, or Bharat Mata. …….” Here , I agree with you.

NOW, If you travel in Hindoostan, observe the society with your admirable sense observation and reading etc. , you will notice that overwhelming majority are deeply concerned about making a just a living and go about their daily grind. They couldn’t care less with anything what happens beyond their villages, towns and cities. Delhi is a distant place. Pakistan does not exist in their imagination unless some loathsome politician stirs up things.

Then the better-educated and informed citizens may wander in their thoughts a bit beyond and rather prefer to get lost in the fantasy world of Bollywood movies and its songs. Most of these fellows honestly believe that Partition was a good thing and Pakistan is a very good riddance. They think Pakistan is a horrible mess created by its Khaki clad men, loathsome politicians and religious fanatics, and would not touch with a mile long pole. They honestly believe that Pakistan is the “Sickman of South Asia”.

Then of course there is a small bunch of loonies who entertain the idea of Akhand Bharat etc. They are really ignorant nuts. Thank Allah that they are a minority.

Lastly there are genuine good men and women at heart who like to see peace and brotherhood between Pakistan and India. They believe that failure of Pakistan, will turn to be a disaster not only to itself, but also to neighbouring India. Just imagine a small after effect!: - horrendous and likely flood of refugees pouring into India and the parts of Pakistan run by Beardos and Fundies! Secondary effect would be that life would become miserable even to Indian Muslims who will fall prey to Hindu Chauvinists and Fascists. It will be too horrible to contemplate.

So let us wait and see what happens!

Wa Salaam!

Kamath

#107 BJKumar,
As a kind, generous, and civilized person, please behave yourself in the superior manner that we have all come to expect from you. I know that you can do it. Thanks. :)

Re: # 129 by sanatani:

You try to come accross as some kind of Hindu fanatic. I have known quite a few of these types. You are definitely not one. You see, your knowledge of Islam is deeper and clearer than the ``Muslim experts`` of the Organizer. Now here is one of your takes on Sindh:

``In Sindh these harammkhors attacked the Sindhi Hindus again with the help of their Sindhi Muslim auxillaries who were 2 happy to get back at the Hindus for the real progressives were Hindus not Muslims to establish Islamic Raaj. Remember GM Syyed famous staement in the Sind Assembly that the Hindus in Sindh would meet a fate worse than the jews in Germany came after a leading light from Aligarh became his PA. ``

The above, which you write with such ease could not have been written by the usual hindutva freak. Here in chowk, people like gujju, abcd, uncle hari would have no clue about what you are talking about.

Now, I am almost sure about your other nick.