Face2News/Guwahati:
The Baloch community residing in India, while urging the Union government in New Delhi for extending support to their causes by raising the issue of Balochistan nationally and internationally, appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take initiative for a pragmatic discussion in the Parliament and push for a formal resolution recognizing (and supporting) the legitimate freedom struggle of Baloch people.
The members of Baloch Welfare Association (India) also requested the government to permit for establishing a Balochistan Representative Office (or Embassy) in India with an aim to ‘coordinate political, diplomatic, and cultural engagements’.
“The Baloch people have lived in India for centuries. We proudly call this land our home. Our ancestors stood shoulder to shoulder with Indian revolutionaries, sacrificing their lives in the fight for independence from British colonialism. Our Love for India is not recent, but inherited, lived, and cherished through generations,” said a letter addressing the PMO, addin that ‘a free and democratic Balochistan will not only bring peace to Baloch people but also serve India's long-term strategic, security, and geopolitical interest in south Asia. The people of Balochistan always look for India with hope and the Indian Balochs wish to see this historic connection transformed into a reality.
The letter also highlighted two prominent historical figures symbolizing the trusted bond namely Kadu Makrani and Nawab Bahadur Khan Baloch. Mentionable is that Makrani was a Baloch freedom fighter, who led a daring rebellion against the British forces in Gujarat. He became a legend for his courage after his martyrdom in 1878 in the history of India's freedom movement. On the other hand, Bahadur Khan from Uttar Pradesh emerged as a nobleman immensely contributing to the Indian society with relentless approaches to foster harmony and civic engagements between both Baloch and local communities.
The situation in Balochistan remains a solid example for showcasing the humanitarian crisis, where the Pakistani military establishment continues grave human rights violation, including enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, torture, and a systematic silencing of all dissident voices. Carrying pain in their hearts, the freedom aspiring Baloch people have struggled for freedom, dignity, and justice. The international human rights organizations have documented the genocide of Balochs, but they largely remain silent.
The Balochi association also pleaded with New Delhi to facilitate entry of Baloch political activists, who are currently living in exile, and grant asylum (and humanitarian protection) to the persecuted Balochs, who are seeking refuge in India. Moreover, it asked for recognizing the Baloch Welfare Association as an unified democratic voice of Indian Balochs and allowing them to take part in national consultations on security matters and interactions with police, media and civil societies in a peaceful and secured ambience.
Reasserting that they are proud brothers and sisters of Indian people, connected by history, culture, and shared values, the association expressed its eagerness ‘to work with government institutions, civil society, and international partners for a peaceful future’. Affirming that New Delhi’s support can change the future of millions of oppressed Baloch lives and also strengthen India's historic role as a defender of truth, justice, and rights of all people, the letter concluded with the slogans ‘Jai Hind! Long Live India! Long Live Free Balochistan! Long Live Baloch-India Brotherhood!’
In another letter to Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the association lauded the saffron leader for his recent comments on Balochistan as the sacred home of Hinglaj temple (Balochs affectionately call it Nani Mandir), which is recognised as one of the 51 revered Shakti-Peeths across Bharat. Expressing hope that a free and democratic Balochistan would bring stability and peace for the entire region, the forum stated, “We dream of a day when Indians will freely visit Shakti-peeth Hinglaj Mata Mandir in the heart of Balochistan, which is deeply revered by Hindus and Baloch alike. This vision can become a reality with New Delhi’s continued support for the Baloch freedom movement.”