Feudal system in Sindh

Sindh has long been synonymous with feudal culture. The argument for it has always been that landlords provide livelihoods, housing and food to the men and women they employ. Conversely, there are many against the system who lament the treatment of peasants under the feudal system. There was a recent meeting held at Karachi Press Club to address the situation of millions of peasants who fall under the feudal system, either working in bonded labour or as tenants. Several rights organisations were present at the launching of a new report known as State of Peasants’ Rights in Sindh 2016, to address the exploitative and abusive nature of a feudal and peasant relationship. Meetings such as this one, to discuss major sociocultural conundrums are important for seeking out resolutions that leave primitive practices behind and help the country progress through dialogue.

Elsewhere in the world, the feudal system is recognised as inferior and oppressive. Indeed, the flaws of the feudal system are acknowledged, particularly in the way employees are manipulated, exploited, and harassed. They are also doomed to a certain way of life, living daily under something resembling dictator rule. The cons of the system outweigh the benefits when it comes to evaluating. Although providing food and shelter to the impoverished is a generous act, it is the treatment of the people that activists have a problem with. Laws in Sindh exist to assuage matters, but they are many in number and zero in effectiveness. Examples include the Seed Amendment Act of 2016 and the Sindh Tenancy Act of 1950. There is a need to consolidate existing legislation to have it reflect the 21^st century. With human slavery a current topic, there should be a push to do away with the feudal system and punishment should be a result of exploiting other human beings, although, realistically, we know that there are illegal facilities provided to those with clout who face any scrutiny. It is implored that the dilemma be viewed through the lens of human rights; economic benefits to workers are secondary.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2017.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.