Kapar - a traditional temporary dwelling of the Baloch people
By Nava Thakuria*
The Baloch Welfare Association (India), representing the Baloch community in India, has formally appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government to champion the cause of Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan, a movement rooted in the region’s annexation in 1948.
In a detailed letter to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the association called for a parliamentary debate and a formal resolution to recognise the Baloch people’s legitimate struggle for sovereignty, which has persisted for over seven decades. Additionally, it requested permission to establish a Balochistan Representative Office in India to foster political, diplomatic, and cultural engagements, emphasising the need for a platform to amplify Baloch voices globally. The appeal comes amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions, particularly following India’s Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory military strike against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
The Baloch Welfare Association underscored the historical and cultural bonds between the Baloch and Indian people, noting that Baloch communities have resided in India for centuries, particularly in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and other regions. The letter highlighted two historical figures to illustrate this connection: Kadu Makrani, a Baloch freedom fighter who led a rebellion against British colonial forces in Gujarat and was martyred in 1878, becoming a revered figure in India’s independence movement, and Nawab Bahadur Khan Baloch, a nobleman from Uttar Pradesh who promoted harmony and civic engagement between Baloch and indigenous Indian communities. The association emphasised that these shared struggles against oppression reflect a deep-rooted alliance, stating, “Our ancestors stood shoulder to shoulder with Indian revolutionaries, sacrificing their lives in the fight for independence from British colonialism. Our love for India is inherited, lived, and cherished through generations.” It argued that supporting a free and democratic Balochistan would not only deliver justice to the Baloch people but also advance India’s strategic, security, and geopolitical interests in South Asia, particularly by countering Pakistan’s influence.
The letter detailed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, where the Pakistani military has been accused of severe human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, and the systematic silencing of dissent. Reports from international organisations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have corroborated these claims, documenting what the association describes as a “genocide” against the Baloch people. Despite these atrocities, global attention remains limited, prompting the Indian Baloch community to urge New Delhi to raise the issue on international platforms, such as the United Nations, and advocate for accountability. The association also requested that India grant asylum and humanitarian protection to Baloch political activists living in exile and recognise the Baloch Welfare Association as the unified democratic voice of Indian Balochs, enabling their participation in national security consultations and peaceful interactions with police, media, and civil society under a secure framework.
Expressing solidarity with India, the association described Indian Balochs as “proud brothers and sisters” of the Indian people, connected by history, culture, and shared values. It concluded with slogans such as “Jai Hind! Long Live India! Long Live Free Balochistan! Long Live Baloch-India Brotherhood!” to reaffirm their commitment. In a separate letter, the association praised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his recent comments recognising the Hinglaj Mata Temple in Balochistan’s Lasbela district as a sacred Shakti Peeth, locally known as Nani Mandir. Nestled in Hingol National Park near the Makran coast of the Arabian Sea, the temple is believed to mark the spot where Goddess Sati’s forehead fell, making it one of the 51 holiest sites in Shaktism.
Sarma noted that Hindu pilgrims, particularly from the Sindhi, Bhavsar, and Charan communities, have historically undertaken arduous journeys to the shrine, which is also respected by local Baloch tribes, symbolising inter-communal harmony. The association expressed hope that a free Balochistan would enable Indian Hindus to visit the temple freely, strengthening cultural and spiritual ties.
The Patriotic People’s Front Assam (PPFA), a nationalist forum, supported Sarma’s remarks, highlighting the spiritual connection between the Hinglaj Mata Temple and the Kamakhya Devalaya in Guwahati, where Sati’s yoni is believed to have fallen. Five years ago, the PPFA urged the central government to revitalise the Hinglaj temple, located in a mountain cave along the Hingol River. Hindu mythology narrates that Sati, daughter of Daksha Maharaj, immolated herself at a yagna after her father humiliated her husband, Lord Shiva. To calm Shiva’s rage, Lord Vishnu dismembered Sati’s body into 51 parts using the Sudarsan Chakra, with each location becoming a Shakti Peeth. The PPFA noted that Sati’s forehead, marked with hingul (vermilion), fell at the Hinglaj site, while her yoni fell at Kamakhya, linking the two shrines. The association echoed this sentiment, envisioning a future where Indians can visit Hinglaj without restrictions.
Despite these appeals, New Delhi has maintained silence on supporting Balochistan’s independence, a cautious stance likely influenced by geopolitical complexities. Baloch leaders have drawn parallels with India’s role in Bangladesh’s liberation from Pakistan in 1971, citing the precedent of military and diplomatic support. However, endorsing Balochistan’s cause could strain relations with China, which has invested heavily in the region through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), including projects like the Gwadar Port in Balochistan. Iran and Afghanistan, both home to significant Baloch populations, may also oppose independence due to potential regional destabilisation. Recent posts on X reflect growing support among Indian Balochs and Baloch leaders in exile, such as Mir Yar Baloch, who declared Balochistan’s independence in 2025 and urged India to host a Baloch embassy. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which claimed responsibility for 78 coordinated attacks across Balochistan in 2025, has also expressed alignment with India against Pakistan’s military, positioning itself as a potential ally.
The Balochistan issue has gained traction amid recent India-Pakistan tensions, particularly after Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist sites in response to the Pahalgam attack. Baloch activists have cited Pakistan’s military oppression, including the deaths of over 200 people in Balochistan in 2025, as reported by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, to underscore the urgency of their cause. The association’s request for a parliamentary resolution, asylum for activists, and a representative office reflects a strategic push to leverage India’s influence, but New Delhi’s response remains uncertain given the diplomatic risks. The Hinglaj temple’s significance adds a cultural dimension, with the PPFA and the association advocating for its revitalisation as a symbol of Baloch-Indian unity.
*Senior journalist
