Cultural Festival in Kech: An Instrument of State Narrative-Building in Occupied Balochistan

Editorial

Around the world, nations are known for their national values and the cultural elements which they practice and promote. This is an undeniable fact that the oppressed nations have consistently been marginalised and misrepresented by the occupying states. As is evident in the case of Baloch nation under Pakistani occupation. The States, in justifying their criminal activities, rely on narratives that they believe can be shaped through soft policies and rhetorical-narrative buildings. The recent three-day Kech Cultural Festival is a sign of state-driven narrative-building aimed at countering the Baloch National Movement. This cultural festival comprised of several events that were wholly disconnected from the traditional elements and cultural values of the Baloch.

The aforesaid three-day festival was held in Kech’s Turbat city organised by the district administration with the support of the government and was named the cultural festival which is a so-called name. The festival was held under the auspices of Pakistan Army and FC who are responsible for the widespread genocide of the Baloch nation. The invited participants, as chief guests, are directly or indirectly involved in collaborating forces hostile to the Baloch nation. Under the guise of the state, they have been exercising power against the Baloch nation.

The festival was inaugurated by Dr Malik (former CM and the current MPA), Zahoor Buledi (a serving Minister) and Meena Majeed also a Minister in the puppet Balochistan government. They have been frequently criticised and condemned by the Baloch national political circles for their role in deepening the genocide of the Baloch nation. The festival was held by those who deny the existence of the Baloch nation, perpetuate the genocide and who believe in the occupying the Baloch land. They, in justifying their position in the aforementioned cases, seek to construct narratives through soft policies and indirect means under the guise of development, education and social growth. In reality this is mere rhetoric and propaganda — far from the truth.

Such festivals and propaganda, which serve as narrative-buildings, have been carried out worldwide by the colonial powers in the occupied nations to suppress any national resistance. The case of Eastern European countries under the Nazi rule, included such events in shape of film screenings, art exhibitions and performances to showcase the positive impact of the colonisers. Moreover, the Oran Exposition, 1930 in Algeria by France, was a classical narrative instrument used to claim legitimacy and showcase the colonial achievements. There are many such examples of narrative-building to fully control the masses’ perception and to manipulate the minds of the natives in building a negative image of the Baloch nation and the ongoing Baloch National Movement.

The Baloch nation must be conscious about these staged events and must deny and reject these publicly. Particularly the young generation must be aware of the reality behind these narrative-building and state’s soft policies against the Baloch nation. The issue that is persistently ignored in such planned events is the genocide of the Baloch nation, along with the enforced disappearances and the military operation in Balochistan. The cultural values and traditional elements are systematically undermined and distorted by the organisers working under the auspices of the occupying state. The Baloch nation, by recognising this reality, must reject such events in strongest possible terms, not merely reject but publicly demonstrate against such festivals and seminars orchestrated by state forces.