Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi has sparked a social media debate after questioning the role of “Mirasis” while criticizing dancing and musical celebrations around Pakistan’s Independence Day.
The remarks came during an Independence Day event at the University of Karachi on August 13. Hashmi had been invited to the university’s Azadi Fiesta as Sindh governor.
A clip of his comments quickly spread across Instagram and Facebook. In the video, Hashmi points toward people playing tabla and dancing before asking: “Did the Mirasis create Pakistan?” He then questions whether Pakistan was created through dancing.
Several Pakistani social media pages reposted the remarks, turning the comments into a wider discussion about Independence Day celebrations and the use of the word “Mirasi.” Some posts reported strong reactions from users following Hashmi’s statement.
Hashmi appeared to use “Mirasi” while criticizing people for playing music and dancing. The controversy, therefore, goes beyond a disagreement over how Independence Day should be celebrated.
It has also reopened discussion about social class, caste-based labels and whether cultural performers should be portrayed as somehow less connected to Pakistan’s national identity.
Interestingly, Hashmi told the same Karachi University gathering that Pakistan belonged to everyone and called for greater unity, tolerance and mutual respect.
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He is 1,00000% right, everywhere the Mirasis dancing. Enough is.enough.
Let people celebrate as they like, it’s totally okay for people to show love in their own way, respect and tolerance is the key.
He is perfectly right….Pakistan is not made for dancing.
