Amid chauvinists’ propaganda August 17, 2009
Posted by Malik Siraj Akbar in Malik Siraj Akbar.Tags: a home grown conflict, Baloch, Balochistan, Malik Siraj Akbar, Malik Siraj Article in Times of India, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, Quetta, Times of India
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My recent article, A Home Grown Conflict, was published in the Times of India on August 11, 2009. In this write-up I have argued that the Balochistan conflict is a purely indigenous one rather than being ignited by India.
While the article was widely appreciated by Balochs and the supporters of the Baloch cause across Pakistan and abroad, a section of ultra-nationalist Punjabi chauvinists in Pakistan has initiated a massive abusive and threatening campaign against me.
This group of people, which regrettably, but understandably, includes several journalists as well. They insist I have committed “sedition” and proved to be an “Indian agent” by speaking ‘against Pakistan’ in an Indian newspaper. They are demanding that Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) should condemn the article and constitute a legal action committee against me.
Some others are endeavoring to reach my editor to get me fired from my job.
In addition, the article has brought me a lot of abusive and threatening phone calls and e-mails.
In fact, it is the first time the people are getting a Baloch perspective on the Balochistan issue. In the past, the only people who reported about Balochistan were the ones who sat in air-conditioned rooms of Lahore and Islamabad. They did not know the difference between Baloch and Balochi, Kech and Turbat but still pretended to know everything about Balochistan. They tremendously mislead the public opinion. Now, they feel threatened that anti-establishment, rather than ISPR-dictated, voices are being fearlessly raised from Balochistan.
In the meanwhile I am deeply thankful to all of the senior journalists and my readers who have stood united with me in the aftermath of the publication of the article. I would also wish to thank the Times of India management for assuring me of “full professional support” in case propaganda against me gets out of control.
Last but not the least; I still stand on every word of my article. I believe trouble in Balochistan is caused by Pakistan itself.
Though I disgree with the assertions you made in the said article, I found it highly biased and evasive of facts, I 100% support your right to express your views either in local or international press.
There can be no compromise on freedom of expression. Your view of the conflict is as valuable as mine. Lets roll the debate forward in a mutually respectful and purposeful manner without calling each others as ‘punjabi chauvanists’ or ‘traitors’.
I fully agreed with your thoughts,and would like to extend moral solidarity from oppressed people of Jammu Kashmir,keep up good work.
Struggle until victory.
[...] Amid chauvinists’ propaganda 19 08 2009 by: Malik Siraj Akbar [...]
Being A sindhi I agree with said article,but Siraj has not mention that ,many hundred sindhi nationalist were arrested and torctured,as JSSM’s worker and leader,as blamed RAW agent,expect punjabi any struggle for political right or Independence is RAW agent so they get right to crash them.It is also intresting that Pakistni Taliban are Indian supported.Baloch struggled is also Indian sponsored.But Punjabi does not accept their arrocities and occupation.well done Siraj.
“It is also intresting that Pakistni Taliban are Indian supported.Baloch struggled is also Indian sponsored.But Punjabi does not accept their arrocities and occupation.”
Indeed! Always easy to put blame for ones faults on others.
BTW: Where is Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in all of this AND the gunda gardi of FC against Daily Asaap, Daily Balochistan Express, and Daily Azaadi? They are all over the place when a reporter gets his camera broken in Lahore but not a peep about all this????????
[...] and constitute a legal action committee against him. As identified by Mr. Akbar in his online blog, Amid chauvinists’ propaganda, this article has brought him a lot of abusive and threatening phone calls and e-mails. Some other [...]