By Abhinay Shukla.
Amidst the ongoing but recently paused thrashing of Pakistan, one more slap has found its way to the face of Pakistan and its army. The Baloch ethnic group has announced Republic of Baluchistan today. The Balochs have been fighting for freedom from Pakistan’s occupation since a long time.
Baloch community has released a declaration of independence amidst the ongoing atmosphere of insurgency and disturbance in the south western province of Baluchistan.
Baloch nationalist leader and an activist Mir Yar Baloch, has announced this through a series of tweets on X last week, proclaiming the formation of a “Republic of Baluchistan” and urging the Indian government to establish an embassy of Baluchistan in New Delhi.
Mir Yar has also appealed to the United Nations to recognize the declaration and provide funding for basic state functions, including currency and passport issuance.
This is a landmark decision by the Baloch nationalists and Balochi people in order to get the acknowledgement from the world that they have long deserved. The Baluchistan issue has been a major embarrassment for the Pakistani army. Pakistan’s armed forces have been torturing the Balochi nationalist leaders such as Mahrang Baloch, the famous orator and leader of free Baluchistan movement. Her speeches have gone viral after the announced of republic of Baluchistan.
Now, on this Bharat must assess the benefits of aligning with the Balochi national sentiments. Baloch people can play a major role in Bharat’s fight against Islamic terrorism and of course Pakistan.
Modi government must acknowledge the Baloch nation and respond to the overwhelming support of the Balochi people towards Bharat. Historically too Baloch leaders have always yearned for India, Khan Abdul Gaffar known as frontier Gandhi has famously lamented north west frontiers’ merger with Pakistan. He wanted to make NWFP a part of India. It was another blunder of partition which is being paid by the blood of Balochi nationals.
Mir Yar further urged the Indian Government through a series of tweets, “India should recognize a Government of Balochistan in Exile, immediately host its embassy in New Delhi, and provide a diplomatic platform for the Baloch voice on the global stage. The Baloch Defence Forces, under the command of a chief appointed by this standing Government, should be formally designated as the official armed forces of Balochistan. With support from the Indian Army, a peacekeeping mission can be launched immediately to stabilize the region, ensure civilian safety, and support the formation of a sovereign and democratic Balochistan.”
There is ample scope for Bharat to play this issue diplomatically, making it a platform issue for thrashing Pakistan as well as respecting the sentiments of the Balochi people.
