Nawab Khair Bukhsh Marri passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at a Karachi hospital. Considered one of the three ‘Angry Sardars’ – along with Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and Sardar Attahullah Mengal – Nawab Marri’s mainstream political career effectively lasted not even a decade, spanning from the mid 60s to mid 70s.
Yet, he leaves behind a political legacy that is as lasting and profound as his political career was short and controversial.
Said to have been apolitical during his youth, and particularly so during his days at Aitcheson in Lahore, his political awakening begun late – more precisely during the outcry amongst the Baloch after the death of the Khan of Kalat’s brother and the execution by the state of his fellow Baloch rebels in the late 50s. A Marxist by political belief, Nawab Marri’s career germinated when the military launched a crackdown in Kohlu during the Ayub Khan regime in the 60s – a time that, interestingly and tellingly, corresponded with the initial expansion of oil and gas exploration missions into Balochistan and the Marri areas.
Nawab Marri quit mainstream politics after the first-ever Balochistan government, formed by socialist National Awami Party, of which he was a part, was dismissed in 1973 by then premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto under charges of conspiracy. Interestingly, while both he and the ousted chief minister of Balochistan Sardar Attaullah Mengal were detained after the dissolution of the government, the third ‘Angry Sardar,’ Nawab Bugti, was appointed governor by Bhutto.
Along with a number of high-profile nationalist leaders across the country, Nawab Marri was tried under the famous Hyderabad Conspiracy case, which charged Marxist leaders with sedition. He was detained by the state up until Gen Ziaul Haq came to power and released him – after which he left Pakistan for Europe and then Afghanistan.
In an irony of sorts, it was when he quit mainstream politics that his influence and stature truly rose.
Nawab Marri’s militant and unwavering discontent with Pakistan since then has served to feed modern Baloch separatism as we know it. His silence upon his return to Pakistan from Afghanistan in the early 90s – which he maintained till his dying day, appearing seldom if ever in the press – was in stark contrast to the flamboyance and outspokenness of other Baloch nationalist leaders.
It may have been a fiery Nawab Bugti, a man known for his blazing rhetoric, who died a violent death in the mountains, but it was the steely-cold Nawab Marri, a man of few words, that was adopted unanimously as the father of Baloch nationalism.
And there is a reason for that. Nawab Bugti’s anger and passion were mercurial and hence inherently erratic. He fought but he spoke too – at least until close to his death. They say even anger indicates that there is some sort of scope in a relationship. In the case of Marri, however, there seemed to be no room; only a sense of steadfastness; a deathly dispassion for over three decades – so much so that it led to him being dubbed ‘Khamosh Baba’ by the Pakistani press.
His bitter and resolute silence spoke volumes – representing in many ways a severing of any sort of prospect for reconciliation for a big chunk of Baloch nationalists and the birth of violent separatism in Balochistan. This movement was spearheaded by none other than two of his sons, Nawabzadas Balaach and Hyrbyar Marri, who led the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which regularly carries out violent attacks against the state of Pakistan and believes there is no option but separation from Pakistan for Balochistan. While Hyrbyar lives in exile in London, Balaach was killed a few years ago, reportedly in Afghanistan.
But Nawab Marri’s influence extended well beyond the militant organisation led by his sons and across the number of militant groups that have cropped up in Balochistan since the BLA – which can be gauged from the fact that it was reportedly only his intervention that led to the freeing of UNHCR official John Solecki, who was kidnapped by a shadowy, previously unheard of Baloch militant group in 2009.
His death opens up a crucial chapter for Balochistan in general and the Marri tribe in particular. Nawab Marri had six sons, and the heir to chiefdom of the large and influential tribe is his eldest son, Jangez Marri – who, unlike his brothers, is a mainstream politician and a part of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The BLA is made up largely of Marri tribesmen – and it remains to be seen if the new chief will be able to use his influence to convince his tribe to open up dialogue with Pakistan, or if his brother will succeed in continuing their father’s legacy of cold silence.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2014.
* UPDATE: Nawab Marri was to be buried in Kohlu, but differences and a last-minute change saw him buried in Quetta
Correction: In an earlier version of this article, it was erroneously mentioned that Nawab Marri was buried on Wednesday. The error has been fixed.
COMMENTS (18)
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@truth: I feel sorry for you as you are hiding the truth just for the sake of your heinous designs. Baloch has never been to Punjab or Sindh as they are living in their own peiece of land . Rather Southern and Eastern parts of Balochistan ware cunningly annexed to the area which you are mentioning here. Dear I suggest you to go and read the history. hahahah
What a tragedy...A Baloch leader couldn't find a Hospital in Balochistan....They kept health and education facilities away from the poor and innocent Balochs and in the end had to seek medical treatment in a private hospital in Karachi for themselves.
@Abdullah: It is the state responsibility to provide basic necessities for the public. Don't you remember when Sui Gas was discovered for the 1st time in Balochistan?, mind you , It was Punjab who got its lion's share in 1952 ignoring the very area where the resources were exploited. This man has given the Baloch youth a vision that how education, legitimate rights can be acquired because state only needs the language of gun and struggle
@Mia: Get your own house in order, before lecturing others on Balochistan. Deal with Kashmir and India’s rape epidemic first, hypocrite.
Please cool down Madam ;).
Yesterday I met some Marxist friends, mostly Baloch sardar-zadas, holding a sort of wake for Nawab Sahib in a central London watering hole. I proposed setting -up a fitting memorial to Nawab Sahib, a co-ed School for 5-18 yr olds in KAHAN, Nawab Sahib's village, as it is still without a school of any kind. And said that I will make first donation of a six-figure sum in Pounds. They laughed so much at my proposal that some choked over their Beers and Whisky glasses. Strange.
@Lunacyassailam: Your comment really made me laugh. A country that kicks out Kashmiri students from its universities for being Kashmiri. And remind me how much freedom the latest rape and lynch victim has in Bharat. Please get your own house in order before making such ill-informed and ludicrous statements.
@Queen: @Lunacyassailam: I hope Indian readers read your comment. They will understand why we always say that India is supporting militants in Balochistan.
Not ashamed to champion the cause of Human freedom,Scythians are holding the Baloch people hostage in the name of religion.See, even if you worship Allah(the One God), right is right and wrong is wrong.
As a father of Baloch nationalism, I find it peculiar that he died in Karachi, and did his education in Lahore.
Wonder why fathers of "modern" Baloch nationalism never chooses to be fathers of modern Balochistan and keep Balochistan in stone age tribalism ???
If you're so adamant that Baloch should be free and have their own nation, then every single baloch living in Punjab and Sindh should leave for their home nation. Esp those in Punjab, where there are more Balochis living than in Balochistan. Hypocrites.
@lunacyassailam, freedom for ASSAM! Freedom for Naxals, freedom for Kashmir.
Would anybody shed light on the achievements of this great Sardar Sb. How many schools he patronized, hospitals established, dispenseries, roads and other public works sponsored... I am curious!
@Lunacyassailam:
I hope Indian readers read your comment. They will understand why we always say that India is supporting militants in Balochistan.
Did I miss condolence messages from Pakistani political leadership ?
I think comment on Nawab Bugti's personality was not fair.
@Lunacyassailam: Hahahah. The country that resumed "SMS" service in Kashmir just a few weeks back calling for freedom, and that too religious.
A great hero, Baloch should worship this old man for his contributions.People in Pakistan think Indians support Balochistan for the heck of it.Nope, there is one thing in India, freedom!!(From Fundamental religion etc etc).We would wish the same to the Baloch or any noble tribe aspiring for freedom.