Karachi was gripped by chaos on Sunday when a rally marking Sindhi Culture Day exploded into clashes between protesters and police, reigniting the long-standing Sindhudesh debate. What began as a cultural gathering quickly shifted into a politically charged demonstration as the crowd pushed for a separate Sindhi homeland.

Sindhudesh Rally in Karachi Highlights Separatist Sentiments

The march was led by activists of the Jiye Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSSM), a group rooted in Sindhi nationalist ideology. The protesters shouted “Azadi” and “Pakistan Murdabad,” echoing calls for Sindh’s freedom, a sentiment tied to historical claims that Sindhudesh was the ancient name for present-day Sindh, as referenced in the Mahabharata. The province remains Pakistan’s third-largest and a focal point of recurring separatist demands.

Trouble escalated when authorities redirected the rally from its intended path, angering thousands in attendance. Frustration in the crowd quickly transformed into aggression as some participants began hurling stones at police and damaging public property. The police answered with volleys of tear gas to push back the advancing groups and restore order.

45 People Arrested

By the end of the confrontation, at least 45 people had been arrested, according to local reports. Dawn reported that five police personnel were injured while trying to manage the unrest.

The violent scenes have once again brought Sindh’s separatist undercurrents into sharp focus, raising questions about how authorities plan to handle such emotionally charged demonstrations in the future.