Bushra Zaidi - We Still Remember You
On April 15, 1986 Bushra Zaidi a young girl from Sir Syed Girls College, Nazimabad walked off to take a public bus back to her house unknowing that she will never reach her home alive. Bushra was a brilliant student who had high hopes and according to a relative of her; wanted to be a doctor but as it turns out fate had plans of it’s own.
Bushra on the unfortunate day of 15th April, 1986 was crushed by a Pashtun Bus driver to death. This happened during a period of time when many people complained about the dangerous driving habits of bus drivers all of them Pashtuns who had no driving licenses and according to records killed, 6-8 because of their criminal negligence everyday. The people of Karachi branded the buses as, “Yellow Devils”.
The bus was set on fire publicly by the fellow students and Pashtun driver fled the scene. Bushra Zaidi’s death had a huge impact on Karachi in more ways than one. It showed, for instance that the people of this city were unwilling to accept loss of life caused by rash and negligent driving.
That society was willing to stand up for students causes. And people could be angry instantly. There is more that can be read into that solitary incident, but suffice it to say that street protest took violent form. The Karachi Police often seen as an alien Punjabi force with minimal representation of locals the Mohajirs did not help either and infact played the role of Devils Advocate. The attitude of police post-Bushra Zaidi Death was dodgy and instead of getting hold of the real culprits ; a police party stromed Sir Syed College and was accused of molesting young female students after it entered Sir Syed College fuelled the further angered of Mohajir and fellow student students. Rioting started in different parts of Karachi against Bushra Zaidi’s murder and army was deployed in Karachi to stop the rioters but what happened the next day on 16th of April, 1986 sparked tensions and wide spread rioting.A bus carrying Mohajir students to Bushra Zaidi’s funeral was attacked by a band of armed Pathans in Banaras Chowk while some of them tried to sexually molest the girls; which triggered a Karachi –wide movement to stop the bandit Pashtuns criminal activities in Karachi.
The Pashtuns also attacked the poor Bihari refugees who had only settled in Orangi Town from former East Pakistan a decade ago and took there houses which was started Karachi’s first, ethinic riots which we came to know as, “Bihari-Pashtun Rioting”.The Biharis fought back thanks to there experiences in countering Mukti Bahani in former East Pakistan with deadly force which resulted in wide spread killing and got there homes freed from land mafia who thought Biharis will be of no match to them - so much for Martial Races.
Obviously it was all in self-defense and the people of Karachi Won, Again!!!!Late Munawar Ali Sahib who became a good friend of mine and died couple of years back was the investigation officer of Bushra Zaidi case and a man who knew a lot of stories. According to him, the Pashtuns drivers and conductors publicly harassed young women and considered Mohajirs who were dark in colors as people who could not fight and that attitude led to the rioting. “It was a reaction from society who thought, enough is enough” – old man told me once.
All in All, it was an unfortunate incident which led to the death of hundreds of people. Bushra Zaidi, where ever you are; your sacrifice will always be remembered and you still lives in our hearts.
