Persecution forces 60 Hindu families to migrate to India
Four out of the 60 families left for India during midday via Samjhota Express from Lahore Railway Station. The rest of the families are expected to travel by today.
According to Express News correspondent Aftab Bukhari, five families residing in Aatma Raam Haweli – joint residence – vacated it this morning in order to move out to India.
Bukhari said that the families had complaints that their shops were looted, their houses were raided by unknown men and their women were forcefully converted.
He said that the visas on their passports were not permanent, however, he said that chances of them coming back to Pakistan were slim.
A resident in the locality informed Express News that the families who have vacated their houses had to sell them off at half price.
Express News’ correspondent from Lahore, Naeem Qaiser, reported that the families have been planning on leaving since the last 6-8 months.
Qaiser said that the members of the four families who left for India had refused to talk to the media. However, when their relatives were approached by Express News they said that they could not endure the violence and that even moving to another province was not an option.
Migration reports just propaganda: Malik
Responding to news reports that Pakistani Hindus were being driven out of Pakistan, Interior Minister Rehman Malik dismissed the reports of migrations as propaganda.
He said that propaganda is being made at the international level about the migration of Hindus from Pakistan.
In an interview‚ he said Indian High Commission has been asked to explain why it issued visas to 250 Hindu citizens of Pakistan.
Strangely enough, Mukesh Chawla, a member of the Sindh Provincial Assembly on a Pakistan Peoples Party ticket – much like Rehman Malik, had dismissed the travel of the Hindus and explained their visas as 40 day pilgrimage travel permits.
Malik added that the DG FIA has been instructed to pursue the matter.
CM takes notice
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah took notice of the pleas of Hindu community and formulated a three-member committee comprising minority ministers to look into the matter.
Babu Mahesh, the representative of Hindu community in Jacobabad, has also expressed concern over the migration. He appealed to the Hindu families to take back their decision and stay in Sindh which is their “motherland”. He added that he will hold a conference in the evening to talk to the families.
Human rights activist Farzana Bari, talking to Express News, said that the issue is of a very serious nature and that the religious minorities in Pakistan do not get enough security.
“It is not easy to leave your settled life and move somewhere else. They are really afraid and this is a continuous phenomenon which we have been seeing in Sindh,” she said.
Bari maintained that it is the responsibility of the state to provide protection to its people. “What if this starts happening with Muslims in India and they migrate to Pakistan? Will we be able to give them adequate protection?”she questioned.
‘Families not migrating’
Sindh Minister for Excise and taxation Mukesh Kumar Chawla, who’s also heading the committee formed by the chief minister, denied reports that Hindu families in large numbers are migrating to India.
Talking to Express News, Chawla said, “I want to clarify this: Around 200-250 of the people leaving are going for a pilgrimage. They will come back after their 30-40 day stay.”
He admitted that there was a poor law and order situation in Sindh but the government has done everything to get rid of the problems.
When asked about families who leave on a visit visa, but apply for residence in India and stay over there, Chawla said that it was true and people did it for business purposes, “but 99% of the people come back”.
He added that the three-member committee will go to Jacobabad tomorrow to investigate the matter and will present a report within 2-3 days. “Security is being provided to the minorities,” he maintained.
COMMENTS (232)
@Zeeshan: When u say india is a country known 4 killing muslims christians n sikhs, u make it sound like thats all that haapens in india. And Pakistan is known for treating its minorities fairly! LOLs
@Ibrahim Afridi: How easily you are saying "Had it been that why dint they leave in past 65 years!!".. the reason is very simple: its not as easy as said!!! leaving everything behind and to start from a scratch is not easy even for a young man but with a family to support one had to take lot many things in consideration before even thinking about fleeing their nation..
Truth is nobody wants to leave their county, you can not even imagine the misery of these peoples. And yes it is a minority issue: specially with women folks, how inhumanly they are treated by muslim fanatics of pakistan, abduction, rape, physical/mental torture, kept as slave or sold to brothel.. Nobody comes forward to their rescue fearing the intolerant religious bigots. The government has not been able to protect the doomed fate of these innocent hindu girls.. every 2nd day you hear a fresh case with same old story in pakistan "a hindu girl converted to islam, married to muslim, in court surrounded by hundreds of fanctic people she says that she accepted Islam by herself, court says since she is a muslim she should stay with her husband and her parents; being kafirs can not meet her".. firing in air outside, all happy because the girl had converted to islam.. and hindu comunity is mocked and left wanted for justice ever after.
Dont you think this is an minority issue ?? Muslim women do not suffer same fate in pakistan..SO IT IS HAPPENING WITH A TARGETED MINORITY COMMUNITY AND HENCE IT IS AN MINORITY ISSUE..
@shashi
I strongly object to you comment on Indian muslims. Baring a few misguided bigots, a vast majority is just as patriotic as you and me.
However I welcome Hindus from Pakistan in India.
this true the minorities are leaving Pakistan
@Zeeshan: SAFETY
same on u pakistan......
Well people , we all have our opinions , but i would say for better or worse they did not get slaughtered just like minority groups of indian muslims residing in india .... you can shame blame religion or state for that matter but please think ....everything is provided for you online see how much hatred is there for no such reason . . Go to youtube you will find every thing there . I am glad they left in one peace as i didnt read that some one was killed . Extremest groups are every where not only in india or pakistan but all over the world , they are like parasites eating in to the core to dismantle the stability . .
Religion , Hindu , Muslim , Atheist or Christianity by heart we all know what we have been taught, peace love care . Be honest to your self , we the upcoming generation should be the saviors we have to reveal the true picture of humanity and not Playing the blame game . I love pakistan i love india i bloddy love the entire universe . As some one said i dont remember exactly who said it ( Dont gain the world and loose your soul )...
Pakistan Zindabad . . . . Vandae Mataram .
@Raj - USA: Absolute hard hitting facts. Wonder any one from Pakistan can refute?
In a recorded interview.. the leaving families said that they were going abroad for an annual religious ritual ! Dear E.T staff.. the first and foremost duty of a journalist is to (IDENTIFY THE SOURCE).. before putting it up for millions of users. Let's publish this comment too!
@Omar: a decade old incident is all that you can muster to harp about!!quite sick!!
Just think why no Indian muslim family never migrates to Pakistan.
@Zeeshan: But how many muslims r moving 2 pakistan because its a muslim majority nation? Its not just about majority or minority, these people had stayed in pakistan for 65 years despite it being a muslim majority nation Just tell me why this sudden change of thinking? Its because they had some faith in the law of the country which they late found out is not 4 them. Pakistan will solve all its problems the day people stop defending it just 4 the sake of false pride.
Welcome Home !
May the new migrants find peace in India and may their neighbours in Pakistan who did not like those few Hindus around also find peace.
@Zeeshan: And what is the role of the FC in the killings and disappearances of Balochis.Even the Supreme court cant force the FC chief to attend a summons.The PM on the other hand is summoned to Court and punished.
Really shameful for the country...Ultimately its Pakistan and not the minorities who will be the big losers in this persecution and genocide of Hindus, Christians and MuslimAhmedis and Shias in Pakistan..
I think that ET should check the validity of this news. Many indian families interviewed yesterday denied any such plan and were assertive of the fact that they were going for pilgrimage.
ET has a nag of raising sectarian and ethnic issues even where they dont exist or where there is something else of material, they would still fan such issues.
@shashi: Hahahaha.. Live with them , You Hindu Terrorist!! @vasan: & @Vikas: Shame on you Pakistan! Shame on you India. Forgot About Hindu terrorist Narendra Modi? Under whose watch 2000 Muslims were slaughtered. ? Or Kashmir. 100,000 Kashmiris Dead or disappeared. SHAME ON YOU AND YOUR INDIA. What is going on in Assam? Shame on you India. Shame on Both of you.
Lets have a deal. Let all Hindus who want to leave Pakistan and join India be given the freedom to do that and Let all Muslims who want to leave India and join Pakistan be given the freedom. If thats going to be a contest, my dear brothers you will loose drastically, coz not even one Muslim from India will ever ever want to become a Pakistani citizen, whereas all the Hindus if given a chance will settle in India. Learn to respect other religions and learn what is democracy. No use on this denial tactics.
@VINOD: "You do not want to live with any one not even brother Muslims. " I am simply aghast! There was evidently something very wrong with my post which lent itself to the kind of reaction that it attracted both from you and 1984. I apologize that your feelings were hurt because of evidently my bad language. Trust me, the intent was exactly the opposite. Go and read that comment again. Keep reading my comments and you will understand.
@rose: "they have so many hindus as doctors nurses and in all departments there enjoying high posts and salaries" they must have worked hard to become doctors and nurses anything wrong with that.
For people who are having fun reading this story. Shame on you! It's not hurting you but sooner it will because next set of infidels would be people who are getting education, Muslim girls going to school, Girls not wearing abayas, Men not having beards etc etc And one of them can be from your family too (God Forbids). Own a problem and think that its a problem that your fellow Pakistanis are facing. Don't justify their move by saying that India is better and a Hindu majority. Say Pakistan is causing some problem which these people can't tolerate. What really happened after 60 years that they suddenly decide to move? Some is really bad somewhere, within us. I know quite a few Pakistani hindus and they love Pakistan sincerely, they are honest and hardworking people. Shame on all of us.
We should ask the Hindu Families of Pakistan what problem they are facing and sort out there problems because they are the part of this country as well.
You my friends have got it wrong. The way to solve this is to move 60,000 Hindu families from India into Pakistan and even more Pakistani Muslims to India, sort of reversing Partition. That will solve the problem, truly !
@G. Din: You have said that "“We ruled you for a thousand years” is part of “vasudhaiv kutumbkam”, was it, is it or will it? Don’t be a hypocrite yourself! Get in touch with hard reality of this planet!" Dear Mr Din, Be reassured that we have got nothing against the Muslim rulers. They fought and earned their Kingdoms as per the rules of the the game of that era. We are proud and visit in millions to the places like Taj, Red fort, Fatehpur Sekri, Bijapur, Hydrabad, Mysore, Murshidabad and bow our head with reverence in front of Hazrat Bal, Ajmer Sharif,Nijamuddin, Bihar Sharif, Haji Ali. They are as much part of us as Hindu historical places or temples. We celebrate our unity in diversity. But kindly sit down in peace and ponder that are you part of the same Muslims who ruled large portions of India with out any hatred or distinction between Hindu, Muslim, Christians or Shias or Ahmedis. So do not say "We ruled you" No you never ruled us because you are not part of those great Muslims. You are product of narrow minded hate and violence, you have no tolerance. You do not want to live with any one not even brother Muslims. Dear Sir I am in touch with hard reality. Look at your mindset.
@Sunny: Don't predent to be a Pakistani...... Pathetic attempt by an Indian
@M Usama Kabbir: And I feel ashamed to be an Indian.
@Zeeshan: a national unison worry about muslim birth rates or “muslim settlers” Unless you have an endless supply of food and resources to sustain a big, uneducated, unskilled and physically unhealthy population this rhetoric is suicidal.....
Pakistan and India are one . We should coolly handle such issues and strengthen love, encourage marriages without conversion to either religion . Let us form a friends group across borders.
Welcome to the country with the Blasphemy Law!!
@cynical: One must learn from history , this quote is particularly relevant who think they are safe and it will never happen to me " First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me "
The author is Martin Niemöller who was a German Christian and he was arrested and eventually confined in Sachsenhausen and Dachau his crime was"not being enthusiastic enough about the Nazi movement." Just think are you as safe as you really think you are and if for how long?
No long march? Imran Khan? DCP?
My wife came to the US on an asylum visa because she was a religous minority in a Muslim country. Knowing what she and her family went through I have no sympathy for any Muslim in a non-Muslim country who complains about prejudice. There is no country that treats Muslims as bad as even the "modreate" Muslim countries treat religous minorties.
As far as I'm concerned - Muslims inj my country deserve far less that we grant them.
@jagjit sidhoo: thanks for the alarm bell,in future,i will avoid getting into discussion with ignorant fools,i presumed i was discussing with a sane mind up until you proved it otherwise.
@Abbas, John: i request you to end the discussion with the ignorant,you know to whom I'm calling 'ignorant',don't worry,one day,reality will hit them hard,they can delay it for a time being by taking in refugee in land of fantasy,but they cannot stop the inevitable.
@Cosmo: there is no need for us to defend our values and traditions in front of Pakistani or in any Pakistani discussion forum,our values and tradition will be judged by our grand children,just as we say that India is secular and has made progress in reducing poverty,we have to also give credit to our grand fathers for every achievement of ours
Pakistani... "The same is happening with muslims in Pakistan….where shall they go"
Are Muslims being forcibly converted in Pakistan?
@kaalchakra: Why dont you welcome the Shias who are in Pakistan?
It is heart warming to see so many indians condeming the phony "Shashi"( i believe a pakistani). This the testimony of greatness of India's secular ethos. As an Indian i have had the previlage of visitng churches, temples, mosques, gurudwaras, etc. Celebrating, eid, christmas, diwali will equal fervor. Imagine doing all that in Pakistan and Imagine pakistanis condeming a hindu-basher!!
@mujeeb: Right, if u r an Indian muslim, then i must be James Bond!
Every Indian knows that India's the only homeland of Hindus and Sikhs. India's the country which gave birth to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, the three great religions the world has known. Thus when a Hindu or Sikh or Buddhist wants to come to their homeland, who are we to stop them? It's their country, they can come anytime and they're most welcome coz this is the least we can do for them. Besides if you know the history, India even gave refuge to the Parsis when they fled from Persia. India even gave refuge to 2 crore Bangladeshi Muslim migrants who are still living in different parts of our country right now. India's given shelter to the people of every religion, such is the great culture of India. Come my Pakistani Hindu and Sikh brothers and sisters, your country India's is waiting for your arrival.
@Zeeshan: Looks like you are struggling to balance your thinking after the onslaught of verbal arrows for your lack of secularism. Despite the state your country is in and the pathetic state the minorities and muslims are in, you still have energy left to keep pointing fingers at the Indian bully. Using islam you could not even touch the force of India...now you are pelting verbal abuses at the few hindus left in your country...alas you did not get a chance to eradicate them...before they left!!! If you fail totally which I am afraid Pakistan will, the argument will be the Indians have never allowed you to survive, the next blame would be on poor USA or the jews living 3000 miles away!!! right? You still do not have an anwer to the fact that muslim population in India increased to 18 crores (16%-18%) since 1947 from 3 crores. The Hindu population has decreased to a million in Pakistan (1.6%).Just answer to the facts... please do not argue from your religious bias.
Welcome home!
@Kaalchakra, Why should we invite poor or rich Muslims of Pakistan to India? Now don't tell me that even Muslims don't want to live in Pakistan, a state that was created especially for Muslims. Besides India's the only homeland of Hindus and Sikhs, they're free to come to India anytime they want. For it's their right. India's their own country.
Sad completely in humane treatment The people committing such crimes should be hanged. Income pent minister is not aware that christian Girls are raped and no police cases are registered.
@Dr. Asad Sadick, Germany:
Jinnah believed - while a sizable section of Muslim population will remain in Hindu India, holding Hindus hostage in Pakistan will provide the counter poise. Some kidnappers have taken it literally.
The Mullahs of Pakistan are making everyone want to leave Pakistan
@zeeshan:
Is this the promised land our forefather dreamt ? !!
YES!!!!!
@1984: *"Unless you’re an Arab or Turk..You dont have the rights to talk like that to us.. Your forefather was a Hindu or Buddhist who converted either because they were afraid of the sword or because they couldnt pay the high jizya tax…
Your DNA is subcontinent DNA not the Arabic DNA whether you agree or deny it ,unless unspeakable things happened to your great grandmother..
If you say that you ruled us for 1000 yrs,then the pakistani christian will say he ruled you for 200 yrs"* Read my comment again. The rule part of the sentence was in quotation marks. My friend, your comment shows that you don't know me and don't read my comments. I am quite proud of my DNA and it is not what you have assumed it to be. So, calm down!
@Zeeshan: Just read the message write by Ayush
Interior minister Rehman Malik and Mukesh Chawla both are cheat and telling the lie and naming the migration of Hindus' as a propaganda. These are not only 60 families leaving Pakistan but thousands of families are in process to leave this country. In last two years more than 600 families from District Umerkot and Sanghar migrated to India. Forced conversion of religion, kidnapping, imprisonment (of Hindu farming class; scheduled caste) for laboring purpose in rural areas and are persecution are some of the causes of these migration..... ......... ........... ........ ......... ......... ......... ........... ........ ......... ......... ......... ........... ........ ......... ......... ......... ........... ........ ......... ......... ......... ........... ........ ......... ......... ......... ........... ........ ......... ......... ......... ........... ........ ......... ......... ......... ........... ........ ......... .........:(
It's so sad, 'cause Pakistan is an Islamic country, and Islam was the first religion perhaps, to endorse freedom of religion, and was the first to provides rights to minorities...!
@Truth bites:
Am I to understand that the Muslim moneylenders have a lower interest rate?