Balochistan leaders announce independence; Republic of Balochistan trends online
A formal declaration of independence from Pakistan by Baloch nationalist leaders ignited regional tensions and brought the ongoing conflict in the unstable southern province of Balochistan back into the public eye.
New Delhi (India) May 15: Addressing decades of reported crimes, Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch claimed that Balochistan was never a part of Pakistan. Recalling the August 11, 1947, declaration of independence for Balochistan, he called on Indian media to acknowledge Balochs as different from Pakistanis. In a period of conflicts between India and Pakistan, Balochistan declared its support for India, with 60 million Baloch nationals apparently supporting Baloch.
Mir Yar Baloch in a post said,"Dear Indians patriot media, the youtube comrades, the intellectuals fighting to defend Bharat are suggested not to refer to Balochs as 'Pakistan's Own People'. We are not Pakistani, we are Balochistani. Pakistan's own people are the Punjabi who never faced air bombings, enforced disappearances and genocide."
According to Mir, "Balochistan and its people" displayed support for India during tensions between the two countries after military actions against each other after the Pahalgam terror attack.
"The people of the Democratic Republic of Balochistan come to show their full support to the people of #Bharat. China is helping Pakistan, but Balochistan and it's people are the government of Bharat @narendramodi. Dear @narendramodi ji you are not alone, you have the backing of 60 million Baloch patriots."
The "Republic of Balochistan" movement, led by writer, human rights representative, and Baloch nationalist leader Mir Yar Baloch, has been gathering pace amid the tensions between India and Pakistan.
Among the demands are the naming of Hinglaj Mata Mandir as the spiritual capital, Quetta as the capital, and Gwadar as the commercial capital. Baloch asked that the Pakistani Army immediately leave the area, urged the Indian government to allow the opening of a Baloch embassy in New Delhi, and urged the UN to send peacekeeping force to Balochistan.
The hashtags - #RepublicOfBalochistan, #BalochistanIsNotPakistan, #BalochistanIndependence, #KnowBalochistanNoPakistan - are trending on social media platforms.
The most recent developments have not yet been officially addressed by the Pakistani government.
Aadrika Tayal
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