Rasool Bux Palijo and the Dialectics of Sindhi Nationalism (1960–2018)

• MUHAMMAD WASEEM

  Author

This research paper undertakes a critical examination of Rasool Bux Palijo's profound, yet under-explored, role in shaping the trajectory and ideological texture of Sindhi nationalism between 1960 and 2018. The central argument posits that Palijo’s contribution was transformative, moving the nationalist discourse beyond a singular, purely ethno-linguistic focus towards a revolutionary, class-based, and fiercely egalitarian political program. Unlike his contemporaries, Palijo successfully synthesized the demand for cultural autonomy with a radical anti-feudal and feminist agenda, thereby broadening the movement's social base to include peasants and, crucially, rural women. His tireless activism, which spanned decades of martial law and civil authoritarianism, focused on tangible issues of water distribution, economic exploitation, and political marginalization within the Pakistani federal structure. By anchoring Sindhi identity in the struggle for social justice, Palijo ensured the survival and relevance of the movement, crafting a resilient identity capable of challenging both the central state and entrenched local power structures. His legacy lies in transforming a regional grievance into a comprehensive vision for a socially just Sindh.

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