Baloch have for long faced the wrath of the Pakistani State’s brutalities, its oppression, and colonial tactics. Not a single Baloch has been left unhurt in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province in land area. Similarly, the State continues its policies of enforced disappearances, forced displacement, exploitation of resources, and kill and dump policy for years. 

To stand against state brutalities, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, the most famous platform among Baloch masses, has called for a national gathering, Baloch Raji Muchi, in Gwadar on 28th July 2024. This national gathering marks a pivotal moment in Baloch history. However, this is a chance for the international community to clear its position on brutalities and oppression inflicted upon a marginalized and colonized nation for decades by the state of Pakistan.

As BYC calls this historical moment, 'a day to share the pain and sufferings, a day to start a strong and organized national struggle to fight injustice and imperialism, a day to free the loved ones from state's dark and scary dungeons, a day to start a national movement to end the genocide of Baloch on Baloch's soil. A day to prove national greatness, dignity, and courage. A day to share our collective pain, Baloch nation stands firm with the committee's decision.

Worst oppression 

Baloch Yakjehti Committee

Each person in Balochistan has different pains and sufferings inflicted upon them by the government. Be it enforced disappearances, exploitation of resources, control over business, kill and dump policy, and midnight raids, every Baloch has faced the wrath of the Pakistani State in one way or another. This Raji Muchi begins an era of new hopes for the oppressed but dignified and brave Baloch nation. This is not the decision of a single family or organization; it's the collective decision of the Baloch nation to resist state barbarism.

The whole Baloch nation has faced the worst form of oppression by the Pakistani State: they have been abducted, received mutilated bodies of their loved ones, confronted illegal raids, illegal detention, and bogus cases. They have not been allowed peaceful protests; they have been totally censored by mainstream media. Their struggle and movements have always been propagated as proxies against the state, respectively. At the same time, the state has always backed criminals of the Baloch nation, supported death squads. It has always propagated and labeled the just leaders of the Baloch nation as foreign agents and glorified those involved in the genocide of the Baloch nation.

A new era 

This historical day will mark a new era, the era of resistance, struggle, and fight against colonialist policies. This day will clarify where Baloch stands as a nation and who they stand with. The decision of the Baloch national gathering and the response from Baloch masses in different regions of Balochistan clarifies that Baloch will persist in their struggle against oppression, preserve their identity, and uphold their dignity in the face of injustices.

(The author is a student of sociology in Turbat, Balochistan, Pakistan. Views are personal. He can be contacted at ferozrahim1997@gmail.com)