JODHPUR, INDIA: A group of Hindus that had travelled from Pakistan to Jodhpur in India for pilgrimage have sought asylum in the country, BBC Urdu reported on Sunday. According to the group leader, they would not return to Pakistan.
A group of 171 Hindus pilgrims travelled to the state of Rajasthan by rail on ‘Thar Express’. The group said that earlier many Pakistani Hindus had travelled to Delhi, refusing to return back to Pakistan.
Seemant Lok Sangthan (SLS), an organisation that works for the welfare of Hindus, has requested the Indian government to grant them immigrant visas.
SLS has been working for years to help Pakistani Hindus settle in India and provided food and shelter to the group that travelled there on Sunday.
According to an SLS spokesperson, the group comprised of Hindus belonging to Hyderabad and Sanghar in Sindh. The group included 32 women and children, mostly belonging to the Bheel community.
Speaking to BBC Urdu, one of the members of the group said, "You cannot understand our pain. Recently my father passed away and I did not even get space to perform his last rites,” adding, “We will not return to Pakistan and you may kill us here [India] instead. Increasing Islamic extremism causes us problems on a daily basis.”
Speaking on the condition of the Hindus, the SLS spokesperson further said that, “Fear was evident on their faces and they were concerned for their future,” adding that this matter was pertaining to both India and Pakistan.
Recently, the media highlighted the issue of Pakistani Hindus migrating from Balochistan and Sindh to India due to lack of security and persecution of their community.
A parliamentary committee was also formed by President Asif Ali Zardari to look into the matter, however, the committee rejected the claims that Hindus were leaving Sindh.
COMMENTS (42)
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@saeed: you are showing total ignorance to the huge problem that hindu communities are facing.... When your young daughter or sisters is abducted and forced to convert to a different religion...a religion from which u can never come back.. what would u do??.. U won't understand how it feels when just saying I'm a hindu changes the mind of the person standing around u to total hatred. I feel Somewhat the root cause of this is the hate preaching text books.
@Zeeshan: I think in a strange way you have answered your question. You started with 1984 Sikh riot & finished with 2012. you gave 4 examples that included 4 religious groups,that included nation of 1.2 billion people.
@gp65,
"@saeed: “aw and order situation is same in Pakistan for all walks off life..ethnicity..religions..sects” Really I have not heard of Pakistani Muslim girls being kidnapped and forcefully converted. Nor have I heard of 14 year olf Muslim girls with Downs syndrome being falsely accused of blasphemy and having o be removed to an undiscolsed location with her family despite available information that the allegations against her were inspired by a deliberate plot by qabza mafia. ALso have not heard of Sunni Muslims being identified in a bus separately and then shot. Nor have I heard of any Sunni mosque being destroyed by the police itself because they did not like the architecture. Or Muslim graves being defiled because they have Quran verses in them. The ‘it’s bad for all of us so why are you complaining ‘ argument has run out of steam . "
what "has run out of steam"? The mere mention that Muslims too victims regardless of their other identities? That Muslim soldiers or worshipers were not spared by bombers or guns? Or did you "run out of steam" to understand that the very reason Rimsha Masih is out of jail because Muslims as a whole fought against the cleric? Or the fact that the state passed law asking for 6 months waiting period after conversion to Islam before any marriage is acceptable?
Talking about "run out of steam"....do you have the steam to look at yourself and your country in the mirror: Have you heard Muslims killing thousands of Hindus in India? Have you heard Christians pulling an Orissa against Hindus in India or Sikhs pulling a 1984 on Hindus? Have you heard a Muslim chief minister telling [Hindus that they are breeding to fast?][1]? Have you heard a Muslim CM whose state witnessed pogrom being cheered by fellow Muslims as the hope for India? Despite all of these, where do you get the moral standing to hector Pakistan? You and your fellow Indians, where do you people get the moral standing to even talk about tolerance which is non existent in you and your country.
It is better we all wish the emigrants Luck and pray they have a better life where ever they go. If they are Sindhi's India could benefit from their trading skills.
In a Muslim country non Muslims must live as "dhimmis" (second class citizens). Also they must pay Jizziya. These are rulings from Allah and his prophet. Pakistanis are just following orders from Quran and Hadith.
@gp65: Recently a renound sunni scholar Molana Aslam Sheikhupuri was killed after he came out of the masjid. Situation is not bad for one sect only.
I commented in a blog sometime back on a small ray of hope that I am seeing in Pakistan, but reading this article has left me deeply disappointed and angry.
Please go in peace n may you hv better home in India
I think Pakistan should allow all Hindus to migrate to India and India should accept. Not only Hindus, India should also accept even Shias and Ahmadyas or christians.
@saeed: "..law and order situation is same in Pakistan for all walks off life..ethnicity..religions..sects.."
That is true; and also if one is from a minority sect, one is in double jeopardy! Ask any Qadiani or Christian or Shia or Hindu.
The final nail in the coffin was the CJP when he forced Rinkle Kumari for extra two weeks and a PPP politician had access to girls by phone. At the end the judgement was not announced in the open court. He told parents daughter belongs to us too. He was wrong and once Hindus lost faith in justice what is left in Pakistan. With liberal Visa mark my words the number of people from all walk and religion will be seeking asylum in India. May be it is about time for foreign boots to enter Pakistan under UN.
And why don't they leave then? Who's stopping them?
Another slap on our face. We should be ashamed that a country made in the name of Islam cannot implement one of the basic tenets of Islam: protection of minorities.
@John B: Sorry John :( feel like hanging my head in shame
Every Hindu immigrant from Pakistan shall be a great asset to India. They have the motivation & the desire to work hard to become successful. Having endured severe hardships in Pakistan, they can make valuable contribution to India. India should encourage and embrace these immigrants from Pakistan.
We have become a sad intolerant bunch.
@gp65 - awesome comment man. Perfect summary of what's going on and clear indication of what's going to happen. Unfortunately for Imran Khan he won't be able to go on a march for minorities as by the time he comes to power there will be no minority left in Pakistan. With the process of elimination and conversion of minorities soon to be completed, Pakistan will have the honorable distinction of a pure Islamic country very soon.
I think they took, Ex-PM Gilani's comment seriously that if any one is not happy living in PPP's operated Pakistan , they are more then welcome to leave ..
@saeed: "aw and order situation is same in Pakistan for all walks off life..ethnicity..religions..sects"
Really I have not heard of Pakistani Muslim girls being kidnapped and forcefully converted. Nor have I heard of 14 year olf Muslim girls with Downs syndrome being falsely accused of blasphemy and having o be removed to an undiscolsed location with her family despite available information that the allegations against her were inspired by a deliberate plot by qabza mafia. ALso have not heard of Sunni Muslims being identified in a bus separately and then shot. Nor have I heard of any Sunni mosque being destroyed by the police itself because they did not like the architecture. Or Muslim graves being defiled because they have Quran verses in them.
The 'it's bad for all of us so why are you complaining ' argument has run out of steam .
@ Sir King Kong Bunty
Would you include Shias and Ahmedias, Buddist and Parsis in the 'minorities'?
@Lost: I hope you're trolling,because I had a good laugh reading your comment
I feel really bad about this news. No where in Islamic history you find stories of forced conversions or disturbing lives of the non Muslim communities.. In surah alkafiroon there's clear guidance for Muslims regarding non Muslims, but sadly the so-called 'Islamic' groups follow agendas based on their own motives more than the holy book..
@Lost
I guess all those newspaper articles outlining the regular atrocities committed against minorities are part of a vast conspiracy? The reality is if your a minority in Pakistan - whether you Shia, Ahmadia, Christian, Hindu etc your at risk.
@Lost:
Yes,kidnap and then force them to become muslims.That's what threatens hindus. Stop living in denial,it's time to face upto the truth,forcing ppl to change religions by kidnapping them is doing no great service to islam.
@Lost: "Increasing Islamic extremism causes us problems on a daily basis. You can not understand our pain."
Pakistan Hindus are not migrated people from India when partition was done in 1947. They are purely the sons of the soil.. Sad thing is that common Pakistanis are also failed to lend support to them.. after all they are of same ethnic group..
@Lost: Spot on bro. !!! Non Muslims can't stop their next generations to embrace towards Islam with their inner willingness and that's the whole point from which they feel threatened whether in Pakistan or even in India.
Reading this has made me so sad. I really hope that things get better in Pakistan!
@Lost: "Islamic extremism is not forcing them, its islam from which they feel threatened. They cannot stop their kids from becoming muslims."
Absolutely correct. If they continue to live in Pakistan, there is no assurance that their daughters will not be kidnapped, raped and forcibly converted. The fact that majority of PAkistanis are intolerant towards non-Muslims and are trying to create a pure nation by killing, forcibly converting or driving out others through intimidation is fairly clear. You obviously are proud of that. If this were happening in India where all minorities were escaping due to religious persecution, I would weep.
Another slap on our faces. Alas we have already forgotten the count.
I sympathise with these families. I left Pakistan long time ago and will never return to that part of the world which is now called the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. As they are hindus who take education very seriously and get along with their daily lives I am confident that they will be a success in India. If they were to apply for asylum in UK then it would be granted immediately due to UK's preference for inviting hindus who are four times less likely to be unemployed then muslims from Pakistan.
We have only ourselves to blame for this travesty. I wish I could apologise to these Hindu brothers. Wish them a happy, prosperous and safe future. We've let this menace of religious extremism grow out of our hands. Only time before Muslims start emigrating now (depends how you view Ahmadis, it is actually too late for that too)
@Lost: NOT Islam, it is the interpretation of Islam which done by extrimist and obeyed by illeterate people.
@Lost: It is the people like you who are forcing them to conversion. Shame on you. My heart goes to all those who are leaving and we should be ashamed of our dogmatic compulsions. I am ashamed.
Islamic extremism is not forcing them, its islam from which they feel threatened. They cannot stop their kids from becoming muslims.
Pakistan is no place for a non muslim.Our public has made this loud and clear time and time again; our people want non muslims to live as inferior beings in pakistan,to live as slaves of muslims,the tragedy is that the majority of the pakistani public and media approves of the mistreatment dispensed to hindus,christians,parsis and ahmadis.Religious extremism has polluted our minds to the extent we don't consider non muslims as equal human beings.
Who is stopping them? Also I think Pakistan has lost all the right to say minorities are treated better here than in India. Alas, no PTI will take long march for the plight of minorities, no suo moto will be taken, no package will be announced by the President and no justice will be done. I think its best for all minorities to leave and leave us to our own devices,
The fact is that they are fed up with the economic situation of Pakistan just like all other Pakistanis..thanks to PPP and PML N noora kushti..rather they any hate crime or religion bias..It is just an excuse to stay in India so that they can gain some sympathies..law and order situation is same in Pakistan for all walks off life..ethnicity..religions..sects..no one is speared..thanks to this was on terror...I think instead of being hypocrite and finding excuse like Islamic extremism and etc they should tell truth about why they want to stay in India..Its a total failure of our government..in center or in province..but you will see them again elected in next elections..you will not find any country in the world where these thugs can be re elected after what they have done to this country in 5 years..but Pakistan is an exception.
The ppp has failed to give security to Hindus in sindh.ppp always tells the world that it's a secular,liberal party but the treatment dished out to non-muslims in sindh during ppp's govt. has exposed the truth.Hindus are being treated as second class citizens in sindh and the ppp govt. is doing nothing to help them.
"Recently my father passed away and I did not even get space to perform his last rites,"
If there is no peace in death, then the life itself is meaningless.