Dil Murad Baloch Secretary General Of Baloch National Movement Interviewed by The Sunday Guardian
Question: 1
In his 2016 Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the human rights abuses in Balochistan, drawing international attention to the issue. Do you feel this acknowledgment had any tangible impact on the Baloch movement or global perceptions of the struggle? What has changed since then?
Dil Murad Baloch:
I do not agree with the notion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech brought significant international attention to the Baloch issue, as the Baloch movement had already been mentioned several times in the global media before 2016. We had hoped that, following this statement, India, along with other countries, would take the issue of Balochistan to international forums like the United Nations, much like Pakistan consistently places the Kashmir issue at the top of its agenda in every UN session. If the Baloch national issue were truly a part of the Indian government’s policy, it would not have been limited to a single sentence, and the nature of the movement itself might have transformed.
Had this been part of India’s official policy, it could have had a profoundly positive impact on the Baloch movement. A strong stance from a major state like India in favor of the Baloch cause would have been immensely beneficial to us.
Our movement continues to progress based on its foundational principles and evolutionary process. Any current global discourse on the Baloch issue is a result of the unparalleled sacrifices of the Baloch people, the vision of our leadership, and the relentless efforts of our political workers.
Question:2
Pakistan often frames the Baloch struggle as a “militant insurgency” to delegitimize it on the global stage. Do you think this characterization is accurate, and how does the Baloch National Movement (BNM) differentiate itself as a political movement advocating for human rights and self-determination?
Dil Murad Baloch:
The real tragedy is not that Pakistan repeatedly tries to label the Baloch struggle as a “militant insurgency,” but that global powers have also failed to present a unified definition of revolutionary armed struggle and terrorism. If an armed struggle aligns with a power’s interests, it is deemed legitimate; if it opposes their interests, it is labeled terrorism. This blatant hypocrisy is evident across the global political landscape.
Before September 11, India repeatedly highlighted that Pakistan was a hub of terrorism, yet global powers turned a deaf ear. It was only when the United States itself became a victim that the American President declared, “The world is facing terrorism.” This is a clear example of double standards and outright duplicity in addressing such issues.
Pakistan, being a state and an ally of Western powers, has consistently tried to associate the Baloch movement with terrorism, but it has failed. If the Baloch movement had even the slightest element of terrorism, Pakistan, leveraging its alliances with Western powers, would have easily proven this claim. However, Pakistan’s failure is due to the fact that all segments of the Baloch national movement, including the armed struggle, operate with extreme caution and adhere strictly to the Geneva Conventions. This adherence is the reason Pakistan has been unable to label the Baloch struggle as illegal on the global stage, despite its persistent efforts.
Armed struggle has always been an integral part of Baloch history. Fighting for our homeland and national identity predates even British colonial rule, and it continues in some form to this day. Many nations across the world have engaged in armed struggles for their freedom; this is not unique to the Baloch people. Even in India’s own freedom movement, we see examples like Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. How would one categorize their struggles? Our armed struggle is a national necessity, aimed at achieving independence, and it is carried out within a disciplined and ethical framework.
Question: 3
Some argue that India’s interest in Balochistan is limited to counterbalancing Pakistan geopolitically rather than supporting the Baloch people’s aspirations. How does the Baloch National Movement (BNM) perceive India’s current position, and what steps would you like to see from Indian policymakers to show genuine solidarity with the Baloch cause?
Dil Murad Baloch:
It is a regrettable reality that India has so far failed to establish itself as a friend of the Baloch people or as a responsible regional power. This failure gives rise to such perceptions. The fundamental issue lies in perspectives. Pakistan and its supporters believe that whenever the Baloch mention India, it is merely a reflection of the old, overused adage: “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” They assume that the Baloch are merely pawns in the power struggle between India and Pakistan.
Unfortunately, India has yet to take any concrete steps in favor of the Baloch movement that would clarify its fundamental stance and eliminate the need for both Baloch and Indian people to defend or explain themselves. Today, India remains largely inactive, yet Pakistan continues to accuse it of interference.
The Baloch people do not view India merely as Pakistan’s traditional rival but rather as the world’s largest democracy, a great civilization, and a close neighbor. The Baloch are also aware that, in the past, both nations shared the same colonial oppression, and even today, we face similar threats. The Baloch people are fighting against Pakistan’s aggression, occupation, genocide, and China’s expansionist ambitions—challenges that India also confronts in its own sphere.
We appeal to India for support not as a matter of political expediency but based on moral and humanitarian grounds. India, as the world’s largest democracy and heir to one of the oldest civilizations, has a responsibility to adopt a clear and positive stance on the Baloch cause. Such a move would ensure that this relationship is seen as credible and noble in the eyes of the world.
Question: 4
Considering India’s historical stance on self-determination in regions like Bangladesh in 1971, what kind of support or engagement do you believe India could provide to the Baloch movement without escalating regional tensions with Pakistan?
Dil Murad Baloch:
The circumstances surrounding Bangladesh in 1971 were different. The Pakistani establishment had come to realize that with Bangladesh as part of the country, Punjabi dominance over the entire state was not feasible. For them, it became essential to eliminate all obstacles to Punjabi control, and India’s decisive intervention in Bangladesh proved to be effective. However, the Baloch people have been fighting and sacrificing for their homeland for centuries. The Baloch nation does not require such an intervention. What we need is political, moral, and diplomatic support from India.
Look at Europe: it has no direct stakes in the Baloch issue, yet it has granted political asylum to thousands of Baloch people. Meanwhile, India does not have a single Baloch political asylum seeker. As our neighbor, India has a greater moral responsibility. In this time of crisis for the Baloch people, India could take steps to provide refuge to a few thousand of our people. It is disheartening to say this, but strategic politics cannot succeed with an apologetic approach.
Question: 5
How difficult is it for a political movement like yours to operate in Balochistan? How does the movement manage these challenges?
Dil Murad Baloch:
Operating a political movement in Balochistan is extremely difficult because Pakistan is a repressive and brutal state. Take the example of your own country, India, during the British colonial period. Bhagat Singh and his comrades threw a bomb in the Parliament, yet the British authorities did not forcibly disappear them but instead brought them to court and sentenced them through a legal process. In contrast, in Balochistan, even an ordinary political worker or a person merely raising their voice for human rights is abducted by the Pakistani forces and taken to secret torture cells, where they are either tortured to death or left in a near-dead condition. Thousands of Baloch have been forcibly disappeared.
Despite these atrocities, the Baloch national movement continues to advance with strength. The more Pakistan increases its oppression, the more organized and mobilized the Baloch people become. Repressive actions often open new pathways for occupied nations and give them the courage to move closer to their goals.
The Baloch movement persists because of the strategic leadership, the sacrifices of its workers, and its strong foundational principles. We know that our path is arduous, but our struggle is for freedom, and we will continue it under any circumstances.
Note: This interview was published by the Indian newspaper Sunday Guardian Live. With gratitude to this newspaper, we are sharing this interview to bring its message to a wider audience.
Dil Murad Baloch is the Secretary General of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), the largest political party advocating for the independence of Balochistan. BNM is well-organized both within Balochistan and across the global diaspora.
