The book “Masakh Shuda Lash” (The mutilated body) is a heart-wrenching and gruesome book that unambiguously manifests the atrocious and outrageous crimes of the state inflicted on the dedicated and zealous nationalist,srruggling for the freedom of their nation and defending the oppressed. It explicitly talks about the ferocious and sanguinary torture cells from which it is difficult, if not impossible, to return alive. The agonizing book is penned down by a tyrannized and subjugated writer Ahmed Shakir,who faced all these musics in his silenced life. The book is translated from sindhi to Urdu by Muhammad Usman Dargaiya. The first edition got published in 2022 while 2nd in 2023. In short, the book ” The Mutilated Body” is the tormented pain of oppressed written in stark black and white.
SUMMARY:
The novella tells the story of dedicated nationalists who, in the pursuit of their struggle, encountered a multitude of heinous challenges. Along the way, they were subjected to torture cells, killed in staged encounters, or had their disfigured corpses discarded in mass graves. Novella revolves around multiple characters like Bilawal, Javid, Alak who were forcibly detained and shifted to unknown places for the years. Bilawal, for being a patroit, was penalized to life time prison. Javid, after many months of tortures, was released. While Alak, a committed and honest patroit, forcibly disappeared two times and was killed and his motilated body was dupmed. However the main Character of the novella is Cheezal.
Cheezal, a fugitive political activist, worked clandestinely for the nation’s freedom and the safe release of his companions and other oppressed individuals. He dedicated his entire life to the nation, even when his own house was raided. Despite the challenges, he remained honest in his cause. Unfortunately, like other nationalists, he also became a victim of state cruelty and was abducted.
THEMES:
The novella explores different themes like Enforced Disappearances, killing in fake encounters Nationalism and freedom.
Nationalism:
A profound love and devotion to one’s nation, identity,culture, language and its people, inspiring individuals to dedicate their lives to the pursuit of justice, liberty, and prosperity for all. This noble sentiment compels people to raise their voices against oppression and fight for the rights of their fellow citizens. Exemplary figures like Baba Nawab Akbar Bugti, Balach Marri, Ghulam Muhammad, Wahid Qamber,Sangat Sana and others have made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their blood for the nation, while many, like Hairbayar Marri, stand ready to face martyrdom, carrying the weight of their convictions on their shoulders.
Freedom:
Freedom is neither an ideology nor a concept. However, it is fundamental aspect of life. Freedom is life. It’s a bounty for which not only humans but also animals and birds yearn. When a bird is caged, it struggles for its freedom, even until its last breath. Freedom is the beautiful feeling that forces us to soar, rise, and live life to the fullest. The one who yearns for freedom never incarcerates others, as Nelson Mandela said, ‘For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances others’ freedom.
CONCLUSION:
The book ‘Masakh Shuda Lash’ (The Mutilated Body) by Ahmed Shakir exposes the state’s barbarism and brutalities inflicted upon honest nationalists. Through vivid descriptions, the author recounts the raids on homes and libraries, and the disappearances and killings of students and political activists. This book serves as a powerful voice for the silenced lives incarcerated in torture cells, providing a chilling account of the atrocities faced by those who dare to speak truth to power.
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