Every year the urs (death anniversary) of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai — is a widely acclaimed Sindhi poet and mystic saint of the subcontinent — is celebrated with great enthusiasm. On the occasion, devotees from all over the country reach his shrine located in the city of Bhitshah, district Matiari of Sindh.
Despite millions of rupees spent on the preparations of the festival each year, attendance has been steadily declining, and the reason, according to the locals, is the VIP protocol of the politicians attending the festival. Road blockades and shop closures due to VIP movement affect the business of thousands of daily wagers of the deprived town, much of whose population earns its bread through the shrine’s pilgrims. Locals are denied access to their homes for hours when a convoy of a VIP has to pass. Such political visits to the shrine cost thousands of devotees and residents their precious time, money and energy. The point is that ordinary citizens should not suffer in the name of security for high-profile politicians.
Mujtaba Aftab
Bhitshah
