2nd March; A Day of Baloch Culture
By Jahanzaib Baloch
Second March is celebrated as Baloch Culture Day, a day when the people of Balochistan come together to honor and celebrate their rich cultural heritage. This day holds a special place in the hearts of every Baloch, as it is a reminder of the strength, resilience, and unity of the Baloch community. The traditional clothes, music, and dances all come together to make this day truly remarkable for the people of Balochistan. It’s a day to reflect on the history, the language, the values, and the customs that define Baloch identity.
However, this year, there is a somber mood across the region. While the day should be filled with joy and celebration, the pain of losing loved ones due to the actions of certain forces weighs heavily on the minds of many. Families have been torn apart by the abduction of their loved ones by unknown forces, with some never to return. The people who were taken are often left as victims of extra-judicial killings, with their lives becoming mere statistics in a long list of innocent lives lost.
For those whose loved ones have been taken, celebrating Baloch Culture Day is not an option. The joy and pride that this day should bring are clouded by the grief of loss. The absence of family members who were once an important part of these celebrations makes it difficult to partake in the festivities. The emotional wounds are still fresh, and the pain of injustice makes it impossible to celebrate.
Instead of focusing on celebrations, this day becomes one of remembrance for those who have been lost. It’s a day when families reflect on the injustices they have faced and continue to face. While many people from other parts of the world might celebrate culture and unity, for the families in Balochistan who have lost their loved ones, this day is about honoring their memory and seeking justice.
The situation also highlights a deeper issue within the region. It raises the question of how can a culture thrive and be celebrated when its people are suffering? How can a community come together to honor its traditions when there is so much pain and uncertainty? The Baloch people’s fight for justice is far from over, and that fight has unfortunately taken away the chance to celebrate this day fully.
For those who have lost their family members in such tragic ways, the celebration of Baloch Culture Day feels impossible. The pain of their losses overshadows the joy that should come with such a celebration. It is difficult for them to celebrate when the very community they hold dear is experiencing so much hardship and injustice. The absence of their loved ones and the lack of justice make it almost impossible to feel the happiness that the day is meant to bring.
As a result, many Baloch people are unable to join in the festivities this year. The emotional toll of these losses has overshadowed the importance of cultural preservation. The absence of the missing loved ones leaves a void in the celebrations, and the shadow of violence and oppression has dampened the spirit of the day. What should have been a day of colorful festivities now stands as a day of quiet reflection and mourning.
While this year’s Baloch Culture Day may not be as festive as it should be, it’s important to remember that the spirit of Balochistan will never be broken. Despite the pain, the Baloch people remain strong, proud of their culture, and determined to continue their struggle for justice. Though the celebrations may be quiet, the memory of those lost and the hope for a better future continue to drive the spirit of Balochistan forward.
In the end, 2nd March serves as both a day of cultural pride and a reminder of the ongoing battle for the rights and freedoms of the Baloch people. Even in silence, the heart of Balochistan beats strong, carrying the legacy of those who are no longer with us, and inspiring the next generation to continue the fight for justice and peace.
In this context, the celebration of Baloch Culture Day this year is more about remembrance than about festive joy. It is a day to reflect on the struggles of the Baloch people, their strength, and their determination to continue fighting for justice. While the world may see this as a day of cultural pride, for many Baloch families, it is a day to honor their lost loved ones and to keep their memory alive. It is a solemn day that emphasizes the human cost of the ongoing struggles faced by the Baloch community.
As Balochistan marks this day, it’s also an opportunity to speak out for justice. The voices of the families whose loved ones are missing, the children who grow up without parents, and the communities affected by these forced disappearances need to be heard. The world must recognize the pain the Baloch people are going through, and the efforts to silence their voices must stop. Baloch Culture Day, while still celebrated in Balochistan.
