MQM-P remembers ‘Martyrs of Urdu’
The 52nd anniversary of Martyrs of Urdu language and the death anniversary of Mother of the Nation Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah was observed by Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) at Liaquatabad No10.
MQM marks July 9 in memory of the people killed in violent clashes following the introduction and adoption of the Sindhi Language Bill in 1972 which gave it the status of official language of the province.
Talking to the media Siddiqui said that in 1972, "we were pushed from Jinnah's Pakistan to Bhutto's Pakistan." Jinnah gave Urdu the status of national language but during Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's rule the supporters of Urdu as national and official language had to face bullets.
Siddiqui said Urdu is the language of communication among other nationalities.
It is worth mentioning that Sindhi Language Bill was introduced by the then CM Mumtaz Ali Bhutto on July 3, 1972. There was a strong reaction by the Urdu speaking population leading to violent clashes in Karachi, Hyderabad and other cities of Sindh.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2023.