Volume 1, Issue 1
February 2013
SINDHI AMERICAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
SINDH GUARDIAN
Inside this issue: International Mother Language Day
2
Voice of America
2
Saving Sindhi in Schools
3
Linguistic Issue in Pakistan
4-6
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SINDH GUARDIAN
International Mother Language Day by Katie Mount February 21 marks International Mother Language Day. UNESCO describes the day as one to “promote linguistic diversity and multilingual education, and to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue”. Native language is imperative to an individual‟s relationship with his cultural identity. Culture and language are intertwined and rely on each other to survive. UNESCO estimates that two languages go extinct every month. When society tries to suppress language, the voice of that culture is stolen. The creation of International Mother Language Day was motivated by the violent language struggle in Bangladesh during the 1950s. When Pakistan was declared a nation in 1947, it had two wings: East Pakistan and West Pakistan. East Pakistan would eventually become what is now known as Bangladesh. The two wings were dissimilar in almost all aspects except for religion. Relations between the two provinces did not improve when a national language was declared. The imposition of Urdu as the Pakistani national language had devastating consequences. East Pakistanis primarily used Bangla and were unaccustomed to Urdu. The government attempted to systematically suppress every other language by using Urdu in government stationary such as money, postcards, and postal stamps. In 1948, the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, addressed the people of East Pakistan in regards to the language issue.
He made his sentiments clear when he said: Let me make it very clear to you that the state language of Pakistan will be Urdu and no other language. Anyone who tries to mislead you is really the enemy of Pakistan. Without one language, no nation can remain solidly tied together and function. Look at the history of other countries. Therefore, so far as the state language is concerned, Pakistan's shall be Urdu. National language is meant to unite a country and contribute to cultural identity. However, in the case of Pakistan, the imposition of Urdu led to resentment and discontent. The struggle to preserve the Bangla language reached its pinnacle in 1952. Students from the Dhaka University organized a protest on February 21. Police opened fire on protestors; numerous students were killed and many more were injured. After many years of strife, the Pakistani government finally included Bangla as a national language. February 21 is now a national day of remembrance in Bangladesh. In 1999, UNESCO decided to observe the date as International Mother Language Day. February 21 does not just symbolize one country‟s historic fight to preserve its language; it embodies hope for all civilizations struggling to sustain their languages. The day signifies the importance of linguistic diversity. Respecting language shows a respect for culture, leading to a more accepting society.
Sindhi Voice of America Program Needed by Allison Schlaeger As we celebrate International Mother Language Day, one issue remains crucial to the Sindhi American Political Action Committee: the necessity for Voice of America to broadcast in Sindhi. With the most recent population reports citing native Sindhi speakers living in Sindh at 26 million, and the 2.5 million in Diaspora, the need for direct information grows. SAPAC feels strongly that this simple act of creating a hour long broadcast in
Sindhi, broadcasted once a week, would serve as an important source of news and understanding in regards to US policy in Pakistan. It would also help to bolster future both communication and diplomatic ties between the US and Sindh province and Sindhi global community. In order to win the hearts and minds of people around the world, the US must reach them as directly as possible; broadcasting VOA news in Sindhi is a step that can make a world of difference.
Photo credit: http://www.bbg.gov/
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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
Saving Sindhi in Schools by Kwame Simmons Language has proven to be a vital link to the historic roots of a people and their culture. It defines, shapes, and proliferates interaction which has served as the foundation of society dating back to the beginning of time. The formation of language is explicitly inspired by local culture, creating an inseparable link between language and identity. Separating a people from their language is the first and most significant step to eradicating their sense of autonomous identity, especially in a large, diverse society. Since the inception of Pakistan as a nation, the Pakistani government has preferred a national identity with one national language being a critical component. Conflict was inevitable. Problems arise when the state requirement for a national identity supersede the sanctity of historical roots and pride. The situation as it currently stands offers a very bleak outlook for the future of the Sindhi language and identity despite the seemingly accommodating policies. In order to fully comprehend the urgency of the matter at hand one must survey the educational landscape and the policies that have been put forth by the national government. In 2009, the national government issued a policy aimed at clarifying policy across all provinces in an attempt to increase academic results. The policy states “aware of the importance of the local cultural context, the new National Education Policy supports the reflection of the local cultures through curricula.” However, in Sindh, the policy fails to achieve this goal and instead makes the situation worse. Overarching pressure and realities in Sindh displays a much different scene; Sindhi is stifled behind policies that end up subverting the use and celebration of the language. Public schools in Pakistan instruct in two languages, both of which are required: Urdu and English. Traditionally, lectures were given in Urdu for the vast majority of classes while English was taught in its own course while also being used for instruction in upper level courses. Be-
ginning back in 2009, with the issuance of the National Education Policy, the national government‟s stance shifted to mandate the immediate use of English instruction in science and math classes in years 4 & 5 and in all science and math classes beginning in 2014. To add even more complexity, instruction in Sindhi is allowed and takes place in a very select number of schools. Policy implementation then becomes a completely muddled and confusing mess of languages. The effect of schools instructing in three different languages at different times and in different classes (and sometimes different schools) means that younger students struggle for a firm grasp on one language. According to an article by Dawn.com, 90% of Sindh parents want their children to be instructed in Sindhi, an overwhelmingly assertive opinion. The same article also quotes Naween Mangi, a journalist who is working with an organization that opens schools and educates children in Pakistan, who intimates that the odds are stacked against Sindhi because of alienation: “As I found children speaking to each other in Urdu and replying to my persistently Sindhi questions in Urdu. Worse, the teachers and staff all speak to each other in Urdu … and replied to all my Sindhi questions in Urdu” Naween writes.
Learning in one‟s mother language has positive effects for individual students and society as a whole. For individual students, mastering one language that is spoken at home, in school, and socially allows for a student to become proficient so that they can easily acquire other languages. Instead, Urdu is mandated in Sindh despite the majority in the province having no historical or practical connection to the language. 50% of the population in Sindh live below the poverty line as rural farmers. Day to day farming operations don‟t require proficiency in Urdu leaving many adults without deep knowledge of the language. In fact, only 6.8% of the population in all of Pakistan claim Urdu as their native language. Even more statistically daunting, an estimated 91.6% of students in Pakistan are not taught in their native language. Home language use in school encourages participation from all students, International Monetary Fund researchers find, and it particularly encourages female participation. Female literacy and participation in Pakistan far lags their male counterparts creating a widening gap between male and female achievement, a trend that presents a dangerous path for gender relations. International Mother Language Day recognizes the importance of mother languages to preserving culture and diversity around the world. For International Mother Language Day 2013, we highlight the importance of the Sindhi mother language in Sindhi education. This year‟s UNESCO anointed theme underscores and calls for the consumption of books in mother languages to promote the continued use in education. We cannot continue to ignore the ties of education, mother language, and culture.
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SINDH GUARDIAN
INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGES DAY AND LINGUISTIC ISSUE IN PAKISTAN By: Dr Ali Gul Metlo The linguistic issue guage of Sind? Is it the has been haunting Pakistan language of the Punjab? since its very beginning. The Certainly after the fall of the grave error was made by Moghal Empire, the Musnone other than the founder lims and Hindus of certain of the country Quaid e Azam areas found in it a common M.A. Jinnah himself by debond. But now today other claring Urdu as the national forms of bridges must be language before a very found for mutual undercharged Bengali audience in standing.‟‟ Dhaka. Ignoring all the native Pointing to its hislanguages over an alien lantory Sir Agha Khan said: guage to the newly formed „‟Who were the creators of realm of Pakistan. He and the Urdu? What are the origins rulers after him failed to comof Urdu? Where did it come prehend the very strong Benfrom? The camp followers, gali sentiment and other eththe vast Hindi-speaking nicities sentiments for their population attached to the mother tongues and their culImperial Court who tural affinities. The edifice adapted, as they went which was built on wrong along, more Arabic and foundations only made further Persian words into the syndivisions with the time. InPhoto credit: UNESCO tax of their own language stead of heeding to the dejust as in later days the mands for rightful status of English words such as glass and cup became native languages, the biased and visionless rulpart of a new form of Urdu called Hindustani. Are ers of the newborn country were aiming to apyou going to make the language of the Camp, or pease the Indians who were considering Urdu to of the Court, the national language of your newbe just an alias of their Hindi language with a born realm?‟‟ different script. With this background a sane voice was made aloud. The Agha Khan‟s advice fell on deaf ears th and visionless rulers who were unable to take its On 9 February 1951, Sir Sultan Agha notice. However the language movement in BenKhan while addressing a session of Motamer algal grew steadily. Instead of correcting the policy Alam-al-Islamiyya in Karachi, said „‟Your choice the government outlawed the protests and resortin Pakistan of Urdu will in no way ameliorate or ed to violence in Bengal. It was 21 February, help your relations with your neighbour, nor will it 1952 when the peaceful protesters in Dhaka Unihelp the Muslim minorities there in any conceivaversity were fired upon resulting in numerous ble way. Howsoever you may add Arabic and killings. The sacrifices made by Dhaka University Persian words to Urdu, there is no denying the students became an icon not only for the Bengali fact that the syntax, the form, the fundamentals language but also for the disadvantaged lanof the language are derived from Hindi and not guages of the whole world with the passage of from Arabic.‟‟ time. The February 21 was ultimately proclaimed to be as the International Mother Language Day He further argued: „‟Is it a natural and in November 1999 by UN. The day has been obnational language of the present population of served every year since February 2000 to proPakistan? Is it the language of Bengal where the mote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilinmajority of Muslims live? Is it what you hear in gualism. Learning from the 21 February 1952 the streets of Dacca or Chittagong? Is it the lanincident in Dhaka, the world made it a point to guage of the North West Frontier? Is it the lan-
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
ameliorate the linguistic problems globally, whereas in Pakistan the situation went worse with the time and lead to disaster after disaster, the biggest one world witnessed was on 16 December 1971 in the breakup of the country.
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clique. The struggle continued against these excesses by the deprived and excluded sections of masses. One Unit was undone. Bengalis got their independence at the cost of massive human tragedy. The first ever elected democratic government was formed in the remaining Pakistan.
In Sindh where Sindhi language was in Now the Sindhi language and the first very well advanced position as compared to other ever democratic setup of the leftover Pakistan languages of West Pakistan has suffered the most, became the new main target. After the fall of the practice continues till date. Sindhi was the offiDhaka and humiliation, the minority privileged cial language and medium of education. Historicalclass found their vested interests in jeopardy in a ly very rich and having literally dynamic traditions, democratic Pakistan. Within few months lanlong before the partition. These were the very reaguage riots were inflicted on Sindh by the same sons why Sindhi was targeted ruthlessly. Its cities mindset and clique who wanted to ensure continwhich were booming with cultural and economic ued hold on much of the national resources activities were vacated through state sponsored through imposed artificial linguistic hegemony. violence and imposing blacklaws. City of Karachi Under the cover of these language riots they was detached from Sindh. Capital of Sindh was once again succeeded in ensuring a very fatshifted to Hyderabad. Hundreds of Sindhi medium tened portion for them in civil bureaucracy, posischools were closed, its use in offices and courts tions in higher educationwas banned, radio Pakistan through the enforcestopped broadcasting Sindhi ment of the so music and other procalled Urban Rugrammes in Sindhi etc. ral Quota SysThe linguistic issue in Pakistan has Then came the one unit tem which was in 1955 when Sindhi very unique from been intricately knotted with the was completely deother three provclared an outcaste. Sincultural, socio economic and inces. Not only dhi literary activities and this but the exdemocratic rights of the people. publications were deperienced rioters clared anti state. Even and intriguers postal letters bearing employed tacword Sindh were not tics to ensure delivered. Sindh striked future political arback and reacted with exrangements to their treme anger and full vigour in unjust advantage. The nascent and weak demo1960s, by abruptly challenging the multiple sociocratic government succumbed to their generacultural, linguistic, political and economic blows and tions old experiences of blackmailing through shocks of last two decades. Resulting in the birth rioting and intrigues. Similar was the case a cenand rapid rise of modern Sindhi patriotism. tury ago in 1860s, when under the cover of Hindi -Urdu language controversy, the same mindset The linguistic issue in Pakistan has been demanded quota system in government jobs on intricately knotted with the cultural, socio economic and democratic rights of the people. Languages the basis of religion. This was their main objecbring people closer and bring about socio econom- tive for language riots then. The gains obtained ic and political harmony. This natural cementing through rioting and blackmails in 1972 language element was callously suppressed to serve and to riots, have since been grown out of proportions further the vested interest of an insignificant alien and extremely violent, resulting in passing of minority. Without acknowledging linguistic rights SPLGA in Sindh. Unfortunately this all have the economic, political and human rights are inconceiv- tacit support of pro dictatorial institutions and able. Under the cover of making Urdu as so called groups in Pakistan. Not only this but regional and national language the jobs, politico-economic rights international powers who do not wish democracy and cultural rights were usurped with a trickery and to take its roots in egalitarian, plural and soverfraud by this well established and experienced eign Pakistan have nurtured and sponsored
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them. Moreover the just solution of linguistic issue extends and attaches itself firmly with the struggle for democracy in Pakistan. So what is the crux of the matter. Much has been debated about the linguistics issue of Pakistan. Let us examine the very basics. The fact being that the Urdu is not a separate language in its own right. Its just another name of Hindi with another script. Hindi has been known with many different names or people have been naming the very same language with different names or interchanging these at a time or at different times.. These names include but are not limited to Hindustani, Khariboli, Hindi-Urdu, Hindi, Urdu, Rekhta(Hybrid), Dehlvi, zabÄ n-e Urdu-e mo'alla (court language), zabÄ n-e Urdu (the language of the camp) etc. As for as different scripts are concerned old and bigger language have more than one script. Even Sindhi has eight different scripts, still Sindhi remains to be just one language. Scripts do not make languages. Languages are also not made by hybridizing it with other languages or borrowing vocabulary from other languages. However the living languages have the capacities to absorb words from other languages and enrich themselves. Further the name Urdu has been associated with the downfall of the foreign ruling dynasties in India. The Hindi speaking courtiers and camp followers very cunningly posed it to be a separate language to ensure the continuity of their privileged status and vested group interests in changing dynastic political environments. Actually the name Urdu came from these experienced and well established groups whose vested interests have been associated to serve the foreign ruling dynasties and emerging colonial imperialists. They have been using the different names and scripts as a tool to gain, further and protect their vested interests. By doing so they have created divisions. The very first division was that of Hindi language itself and then came the division of people on the basis of religion, then the division of subcontinent, then division of Pakistan. The remaining Pakistan is still undergoing further divisions due to this very reason. Urdu has never been a separate language neither it would pass the test of history to prove itself as a separate language in its own right. This
SINDH GUARDIAN
is the objective and historic context in which the linguistic question be examined. History has proved that it was grossly wrong to impose Urdu as a national language. We stand much more divided after 66 years when it was imposed as so called national language. It has created deadly divisions in the social matrix. Its time to correct the historic wrong done at the time of birth of the country. Insisting on this wrong to be carried still further would only create further divisions and frictions. Let us stop here and revisit the issue with an open mind. In all practical context Hindi language has been the national language of Pakistan since its very birth but with its alias Urdu. Much has been lost so far, let us cut the losses and accept all the native languages to be our national languages and compensate and rehabilitate them to possible extent. The losses native languages have suffered from day one due to mistakes and injustices be addressed in the light of universal consensus which has been built so far globally. By doing so further divisions in the society on the basis of language could be stopped and this will contribute much towards tolerance, peace and harmony which we badly need. This is the message of 21st February- The Languages Day, the world has been celebrating with a purpose every year. (The writer is a London based Sindhi patriot and democrat. He is a regular commentator on socio economic and political issues. He can be reached at email: gulmetlo@me.com)
SINDHI AMERICAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Phone: 202-496-5300 E-mail: sapac.sindh@gmail.com
The Sindhi American Political Action Committee (SAPAC) is an organization which works to raise public awareness about issues relating to Sindh and the Sindhi people throughout the world. SAPAC emphasizes the significant link between the Sindh region and US national interests. For this purpose, SAPAC aims to advocate on behalf of the Sindhis and to positively influence American policies toward Sindh.
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