All you need to know about the ‘Babrra Massacre’: The ‘Karbala of Pashtuns’

The Babrra Massacre, occurring on August 12, 1948, in what is now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, stands as a profound and tragic event in Pashtun history. Known locally as the “Karbala of Pashtuns,” this incident remains deeply etched in the collective memory of the community due to its scale and the brutal response by authorities.

Background and Context

The massacre took place at Babrra ground in Charsadda District, following a peaceful protest by supporters of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement. This non-violent movement, led by Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Bacha Khan), aimed to improve the status of Pashtuns under British rule and later opposed the political conditions imposed by the newly formed Pakistani government. The movement had a significant following and had previously won elections in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP).

On August 12, 1948, the Khudai Khidmatgar supporters marched from Charsadda to Babrra ground to protest against the arrest of their leaders and new ordinances imposed by the government. The peaceful protest turned violent when Chief Minister Abdul Qayyum Khan, under the orders of the provincial government, instructed the police to disperse the crowd forcefully.

The Massacre

The police opened indiscriminate fire on the assembled protesters, resulting in more than 600 deaths and around 1,500 injuries. Many dead bodies and injured were thrown into the river by the forces. This grim outcome led to the victims being referred to as the “first missing persons” of the country, highlighting the lack of recovery or acknowledgment of their remains.

Qayyum Khan’s Statement

Following the massacre, Chief Minister Abdul Qayyum Khan made a controversial statement in the Provincial Assembly, boasting that had the police not run out of ammunition, no one would have been spared, including the four members of the Red Shirts who had not been detained. This statement underscored the brutal and indiscriminate nature of the police action and further fueled the outrage over the massacre.

Suhrawardy’s Statement

Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, then president of the All Pakistan Awami Muslim League, later known as the Awami League, made a notable statement about the massacre. In July 1950, while addressing a large gathering in Dhaka, East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh), Suhrawardy said, “The barbarous massacre of the Red Shirts (Khudai Khidmatgars) committed at Charsadda in 1948 surpassed the Jallianwala Bagh massacre committed by the British in 1919.” Suhrawardy’s comparison underscores the severity of the Babrra Massacre and its significance in the broader context of colonial and post-colonial violence.

ANP’s Commemoration: The Awami National Party (ANP), a major Pashtun political party, refers to the Babrra Massacre as the “Karbala of Pashtuns” to underline its historical and emotional significance. Every year, the ANP organizes public rallies and seminars to commemorate the event. These observances are held not only within Pakistan but also in various international locations where Pashtun communities reside, ensuring that the memory of the victims is preserved and the injustice is highlighted. The ANP’s annual commemorations involve gatherings where speakers discuss the massacre’s impact and demand justice. These events serve as both a remembrance of the victims and a call for continued advocacy for their families. The party’s efforts to keep the memory alive reflect the ongoing significance of the massacre in Pashtun identity and politics.

Aftermath and Missing Bodies:  Many of the dead and injured were thrown into the Kabul River by the authorities. The bodies of many victims were never recovered, leading to the characterization of these individuals as the “first missing persons” of the country. This aspect of the massacre has contributed to the deep sense of loss and injustice felt by the Pashtun community.

Call for Justice: Recently, Aimal Wali Khan, the ANP Chief, addressed the Upper House of Parliament, emphasizing the need for justice for the victims’ families. Khan’s speech brought renewed attention to the massacre, urging the government to take action and seek accountability for the historical wrongs. Despite these efforts, no government, court, or judge in Pakistan has yet taken substantive action to address the injustice or offer an official apology.

Lack of Accountability: To this day, no comprehensive investigation or judicial action has been taken regarding the Babrra Massacre. The incident was never impartially probed, and some police officers involved in the massacre were later rewarded rather than punished.