AMP Commemorate Suleman Patras’ Martyrdom
This 24th of August was the fourth death anniversary of Suleman Patras who was shot four years ago in the midst of a peaceful rally by the landless tenants’ movement (Anjuman Mazareen
Punjab AMP). He was only 23 years old.
The Anjuman Mazareen Punjab which claims to represent some 900,000 landless tenants emerged some 6 years ago in a completely spontaneous manner contesting the claim of various organizations of the armed forces of Pakistan
The AMP organized a mass and a rally to commemorate the martyrdom of Suleman Patras in Chak 10-4 L Okara. The function, held in the grounds of the main Church, was attended by over 1500 landless tenants mainly from the surrounding villages. As has now become customary with the AMP, the attendance of women was enormous and more than half of those attending were women. Also attending were representatives of the AMP from Khanewal,
Faislabad, The political meeting of the AMP began after the religious ceremony and Suleman’s father, who was arrested in 2002 in order to intimidate him from pursuing his son’s case further, was the guest of honour. He sat quietly and sombrely in the centre of the stage. The meeting was conducted by press secretary of the AMP David Zahid who began the function with some fiery Punjabi poetry and singing by Ulfat Dildaar (Treasurer AMP) and Ali Raza (CMKP-Lahore).
Speeches began with Saleem Bhindara who recounted the history and difficulties that the movement faced. Rubina from Khanewal spoke forcefully about the necessity for the participation of women. Muhammed Siyal from Khanewal amused the audience with his usual frank but militant expressions. Nadeem Antony and Peter Jacob also briefly expressed their solidarity with the AMP.
The main question that confronted everyone was the recent decision of the Punjab Cabinet and the statements made by the Chief Minister
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi that land would be allotted to occupational tenants across the Punjab .
Taimur Rahman (CMKP) appreciated the secular nature of the AMP and the comradeship that had emerged between Christians and Muslims during the course of the movement. He stated that the Chief Ministers promises were made solely with the intent to win the election around the corner.
That after the election all such promises would be forgotten just like countless promises made in the past. He reminded the audience how the establishment had made a similar promise before the general election of 2002 but instead of land the movement received bullets. He said that this same cabinet also passed a law that extended working hours from Aqeela Naz of the AMP emphasized that even if there was only a small opportunity to gain land the movement must make it a point to hold the Chief Minister to his word. She said that this was a time for navigating through the waters with intelligence, foresight, and a cool mind.
Dr. Christopher John stated that the AMP has never sold out its principles and despite the numerous times its leaders have been jailed and tortured they still stand before the people with the same slogans and the same conviction. He said that while the AMP would not forego the possibility of small gains in the immediate future their real objectives were to continue the struggle till the establishment of workers and peasants rule.
Younas Iqbal stated that there was always a period before elections when the establishment temporarily backed off. He said that the people should take full advantage of this current pre-election period and consolidate their economic position as far as possible during this stage of relative peace. He laid special emphasis on the fact that the attainment of land did not mean the end of the struggle. He further announced some important organizational decisions including the decision that the AMP would hold an open general body meeting on the 5th of every month. He said that all people, including outsiders, were welcome to attend the meeting to discuss and debate matters that concern the movement. He said that
movement would follow the direction of the people by consulting the people in these open general body mass meetings on the 5th of every month and that the leadership would follow the directives of the people. He emphasized the crucial role that women have played and continue to play in the movement and stated that without their staunch participation the movement would have never taken off or managed to sustain itself. He said that the participation and enthusiasm of women should be increased still further because they were the backbone of the movement.
At the end of the speeches the people proceeded to Suleman’s grave where the red flag of the AMP was raised to full mast while revolutionary music played in the background. After offering their prayers people peacefully departed for the lunch that had been arranged for them by the organizers. The unanimous verdict of the mass meeting was a resounding call for the continuance of the struggle for land.
Maalki ya maut! (Ownership or death!)
Jheerra Wahway, oh hi khaway (He who tills the soil shall eat)
Note: The Anjuman Mazareen Pakistan is also part of the Mazdoor
Action Committee which is also includes the All Pakistan Trade Union Federation (APTUF), Bhatta Mazdoor Mahaaz (BMM), Working Women’s Organization (WWO), and Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party (CMKP). This report has been written and distributed conjointly by the AMP and the CMKP.
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