Breathing a new breathe in Baloch Politics in Iran

By Walid Garboni

It is a known factor that Baloch politics in Iran was non existence.? The individual confrontation or small groups fighting for injustices in their particular areas had gone almost unaccounted in the history or mostly were interpreted as drug dealers or smugglers activities. Balochistan Raji Zrombesh with its limited manpower and resources since its formation in early 80s started echoing in favour of some of these active groups or individuals, but that showed very little impact to the regimes mass propaganda machinery. ?Now it is sometimes since BRZs activities have disappeared from the surface, many believe that it has ceased to exist.

The rapid changes in Iran after the revolution affected many Baloch lives and forced them to exile.? This migration was on top of those who were previously displaced by the Shah.? A fraction of the second group of migrants ended up in Europe or in the States.? This group mainly from lower or lower middle class was fully aware of the grounds for their displacement which was lack of education.

Hungry for knowledge, majority of them actively sought education and became knowledgeable people; amongst whom one can find Drs., Engineers, lawyers, sociologists and politically qualified people who are not only contributing towards the societies where they are living, but also playing an active role to alleviate the burden of political and social pressure on Baloch people living in Iran. Many of these people have earned the respect of Baloch masses around the world by breathing a new breath into Baloch politics.?

Dr Abdul Sattar Doshoki a highly talented literate Baloch is one of the most popular campaigners for the Baloch rights.? Even though he is not a new name in the list of Baloch activists, but many have started knowing about him after his active role in the formation of Balochistan United Front (BUF) in 2003, in London; where he managed to gather the biggest number of Baloch in Europe in one hall.? It was then when the members of management committee of BUF were elected.

Most Baloch including myself were always hoping for Dr Doshokis aptitude to be used on a Baloch political platform and we regarded the formation of BUF a waste of time and energy since it did not address the core issues in Balochistan like the right of self-determination.? But Dr.Doshoki was not much concern about the drafts; his major concern was lack of activity and diaspora of Baloch political activists or their lack of interest in Baloch politics. His objectives were to bring Baloch from different Iranian non Baloch groups on to one platform and work together on the mutually agreed points.

He visualised the ground realities in Balochistan from very basic stage; like discrimination of Baloch in local jobs and education, lack of facilities in Baloch areas, like housing, water, medicine, sanitation, schools etc., and lack of justice for Baloch in the courts of the law or indiscriminate killing of Baloch by the state armed forces over small excuses.? And Dr. Doshoki wanted to do something about it.? To start with, voicing against these at international level was on top of his agenda.? Then taking BUFs message to different groups and bringing awareness were parts of their objectives.?

With a message that mattered to ordinary Baloch facing daily obstacles at home; BUFs formation was welcomed by most ordinary Baloch in Iran and lifted up their hopes; hopes that need a long way to go before they could become true. But what must Dr. Doshoki and his colleagues realise that their focal point should remain their objectives highlighted in their program.? They need to avoid touching controversial issues and must not engage themselves in ideological arguments which can become very destructive for them and they might end up causing more damage than repairs to Baloch cause.?? End