A tribute to Amar Shaheed Hemu Kalani

Amar Shaheed Hemu Kalani. [امر شهيد هيمون ڪالاڻي], who took active part in the SWARAJ SENA [سوراج سينا] to fight against British Crown and gave his life for self rule [سوراج]. He is our hero, whom we have forgotten and even given up to write on, though he deserves enough to be paid heed and tribute. Martyred Hemu Kalani, who is our hero and freedom fighter. The year 1942 was an era of socio-political upheaval, Quit India Movement was in the torrents and British Raj was very much angry on the freedom fighters for their movements.

Hemu Kalani had executed by British Raj authorities in Sukkur jail on 21 January 1943. On 26 January 1943, Jawaharlal Nehru, who later became Prime Minister of India, paid tribute to Hemu Kalani in these words; “My mind traveled to sindh where a few days ago a young boy Hemo aged 20 was sent to scaffold by a martial law court for the offence of tampering or attempting to tamper with railway lines. This execution struck me as something which will have far reaching consequences all over India , especially among the youth. The blood of Hemu and others will long stand witness.”

After two years, when Jawaharlal Nehru Nehru was came to Karachi, Sindh 1945 he especially visited Sukkur and met with the mother of Amar Shaheed Hemu Kalani and had paid tribute to this hero of Sindh. There is a huge statue of Amar Shaheed Hemu Kalani at Lok Sabha (federal Parliament)  in Delhi in front of deputy speaker chamber. There are several roads, streets and schools in Mumbai, Ullhas Nagar (Sindhu Nagar)  and other cites that are named on Amar Shaheed Hemu Kalani to pay tribute to this hero of Sindh and sub-continent.

Shaikh Ayaz had written his immortal opera in the background of freedom fighters and Bhagat Singh remained the most inspiring man for Ayaz. So for the Hemu Kalani is concerned, we have been hearing the name by the nationalists and especially from the activists of Jeay Sindh. They used to make speeches and deliver the names of the heroes of Sindh.

The role of Jeay Sindh remained active in this regard, the youth followed them and some booklets were also published, when Jeay Sindh was at its peak; the party boosted up their heroes and sang songs for those.

People do not know about Hemu more, they just have heard the name; no concrete material is provided, he should be worked out and published.

“We urge minister of tourism and culture to make his memorial, preserve his home and inscribe a road. Invite Tekchand Kalani to visit Sindh to inaugurate that road and memorial. His brother tekchand’s last wish is to see Sindh before death.”

We would also request to Teckchand, the brother of Hemu should also write his memories and get his memories published not only in a book form but on the internet also.

3 thoughts on “A tribute to Amar Shaheed Hemu Kalani”

  1. I am proud to born in sindhi society…………….I am really
    This nation had created many famous,courageous,warrier people like HEMU Kalani…………………
    I salute to all sindhi shaheeds

    I SALUTE AGAIN….and I mean it !!!

    PROF DR SHAH MURAD MASTOI

  2. Yes , I too believe thatmuch more should be told about Shaheed Hemu Kalani to the young population in the sub continent. I know there are streets named after the Martyr n Mumbai and Ulhasnagar and may somewhere else.But more about him should become a part of documented history.
    I know a Kalani family in Ulhasnagar but not sure whether they are related to the Martyr.
    I am jornalist (see profile) I have travelled to Sindh in 1994 and deliverd a lecture at Karachi Press Club. But unfortunately I have lost all contact with journalists I met then in Karachi. I will like to get in touch with Prof.Zakariyya Sajjid and Abdul Hameed Baloch of Quetta and other Mr. Baloch who was with Sindhi Daily in Karachi.
    I am plannig a book as tribute to all Sindhis who faced the caalmity sixty yrs ago. I want to write a chapter about Hemu Kalani.
    How could a help me?
    _ SomanthPatil,Kalyan Mumbai

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