Allah Bux Soomro

Allah Bux Muhammad Umar Soomro (Sindhi:) (1900 – 14 May 1943), (Khan Bahadur Sir Allah Bux Muhammad Umar Soomro OBE till September 1942) or Allah Baksh Soomro, was a zamindar, government contractor, Indian independence activist and politician from the province of Sindh in colonial India. He is considered to be amongst the best premiers of the province, known for promoting Hindu-Muslim unity and campaigning for an independent, united India. He got his early education at Thull tehsil of Jacobabad in 1910. Later, he got admission in higher secondary school in Shikarpur in 1911, and passed his matriculation examinations in 1918 and joined his father's contract business. His father was famous contractor and businessman in the region. He reduced the salary of ministers to Rs.500 per month and prohibited the practice of nominating members to local bodies. This group had similar beliefs as Zikri sect of Balochistan.

The Manzilgah controversy

Manzilgah was the name of a couple of old buildings near the Sadh Belo temple in Sukkur which were used as a government godown. It was variously claimed to be a mosque and an inn. Senior League leaders G. M. Syed, M. A. Khuhro and Sir Abdullah Haroon forcibly occupied Manzilgah from 3 October 1939, to 19 November 1939. another claims that the toll of Hindus killed was over 60.

Allah Baksh Soomro stated that "No power on earth can rob anyone of his faith and convictions, and no power on earth shall be permitted to rob Indian Muslims of their just rights as Indian nationals." He proclaimed that the very concept of "The Muslims as a separate nation in India on the basis of their religion, is un-Islamic."

On 27 April 1940, over 1400 delegates participated in Delhi session of the All India Azad Muslim Conference, which Allah Bakhsh Soomro presided over. In September 1942, Soomro renounced his knighthood and the Khan Bahadur title which the British government had bestowed upon him. He also resigned from the National Defence Council. He was 43 years old at the time of his death. Rumors pinned the murder on agents of the pro-separatist All India Muslim League.

Legacy and analysis Political analysts, such as Urvashi Butalia, have stated that the Sind Assembly of Colonial India would not have supported the Lahore resolution if Allah Bakhsh Soomro was alive during that time, and would have instead opted for a united India.

Shaheed Allah Bux Soomro University of Art, Design and Heritage in Jamshoro is named after Allah Bux Soomro.

His son, Rahim Bux Soomro, was a politician in Pakistan. His nephew, Elahi Bux Soomro, was the speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan and a Veteran Politician. His grandson, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, served as member of senate and later as minister of finance in Pakistan.