The Brave Son of Jeay Sindh Movement – The Martyr Irfan Mehdi

The Brave Son of Jeay Sindh Movement – The Martyr Irfan Mehdi

By Sher Muhammad Baloch

Sindh is a land of ancient civilization, love, and sacrifice. The soil of this land is mixed with the blood of those brave souls who dedicated their lives to the struggle for national identity, rights, and freedom. Among such courageous, honest, and thoughtful young men was Shaheed Irfan Mehdi, a committed and principled activist of the Jeay Sindh Movement. His passing is not only a great loss for the movement but also for Sindhi society as a whole — a loss that will be felt for years to come.

Irfan Mehdi was born into a humble, hardworking, and patriotic family in Sindh. His parents instilled in him the values of love, truth, and service. From a young age, he was inclined towards knowledge, literature, and political awareness. Even during his school days, Irfan’s thoughts were different from those of his peers. While others were busy with games and personal desires, Irfan would think deeply about his land, his language, and the condition of his people. He became involved in the student movement early in life, and later, the philosophy of the Jeay Sindh Movement became the purpose of his existence.

For Irfan Mehdi, Jeay Sindh was not merely a political slogan — it was an idea, a philosophy, and a responsibility. He would often discuss the rights, resources, and autonomy of Sindh. His words always carried wisdom, courage, and vision. He firmly believed that if the youth of Sindh became educated, conscious, and organized, no power in the world could keep them enslaved.

He used to say in every gathering:

“Nations remain alive only when they have thoughtful youth — those who rise above personal gain and live and die for their motherland.”

In Irfan’s life, struggle and service went hand in hand. He was always at the forefront of every movement activity — from organizing committees to observing national days, from protests to writing articles. His writings reflected pain, love, and awareness. He encouraged the youth to read, to think, and to learn about their history. For him, the movement was a school of consciousness, where every individual had to learn and play their part.

One of Irfan Mehdi’s most admirable qualities was his sincerity. He sought neither position nor fame. His only goal was the awakening of his nation and resistance against oppression. He was repeatedly threatened by authorities, but he never deviated from his path.

Once, while talking to his friends, he said:

“As Shah Latif said, ‘Everyone dies, but the one who dies for his land never truly dies.’ If death comes to me, let it come in the love of my homeland.”

Those words became a prophecy of his destiny.

Irfan Mehdi’s martyrdom was not a coincidence; it was a deliberate act meant to intimidate active members of the movement and break their spirit. But the history of Sindh shows that a struggle written in blood can never die. His martyrdom gave new life and determination to the movement.

The massive crowd at his funeral was proof that Sindh’s soil still gives birth to such sons who keep their land alive even through their sacrifice.

According to his companions, Irfan was always cheerful, kind-hearted, and principled. Even with his opponents, he spoke with logic and reason, never with hatred. His character reflected honesty and tolerance. Through his knowledge and moral conduct, he became a role model for the youth. He would often say:

“If we cultivate sincerity, knowledge, and discipline among ourselves, the day of freedom is not far.”

His struggle was not confined to politics alone. He also took part in social welfare — paying the school fees of poor students, helping the sick, and standing by people in difficult times. He was a voice of hope for the young generation of Sindh.

Yet sadly, it feels as though every such hope in Sindh is cut short before its time. The loss of Irfan Mehdi is not merely the death of an individual, but the extinguishing of a bright flame of thought, faith, and struggle. Today, when movements are fragmented by personal interests and internal divisions, Irfan was one of those rare young men who remained steadfast in their principles.

His martyrdom leaves us with questions —
Will we remember these sacrifices?
Will we revive the movement on the foundation of sincerity, unity, and ideology?
Will Sindh’s youth adopt the courage, thought, and faith that defined Irfan Mehdi?

Shaheed Irfan Mehdi taught us that struggle must not remain limited to slogans or posters — it must become a way of life. If every young person awakens the same passion that Irfan had, then no oppression, no pressure, and no power will ever be able to suppress Sindh’s rights.

Today, as Sindh faces occupation of its resources, decline in education, and despair among its youth, Irfan Mehdi’s example shines as a beacon of hope. His philosophy reminds us that real change comes not just through protests, but through thought, awareness, and organization.

Every village, every city, and every educational institution in Sindh needs youth like Irfan Mehdi — young people who prioritize national interest over personal gain, who replace hatred with knowledge and constructive struggle. The blood of Irfan Mehdi is a debt upon us, one that can only be repaid by keeping his vision alive.

In the end, I can only say this:
Shaheed Irfan Mehdi was not just an activist of the Jeay Sindh Movement — he was an idea, a lesson, and a passion. His martyrdom is our path, and walking that path is the only way to keep his memory alive.