Hindu pilgrims allowed to cross border after protest
Immigration authorities had stopped 242 Hindu pilgrims from crossing the Wagah Border into India but allowed two families, who had permits issued by the interior ministry, to do so.
The permit, according to Express News, is a No Objection Certificate (NoC).
The remaining people were stopped in wake of the notice taken by the interior ministry on news of possible migration of various hindu families from Pakistan fearing persecution and danger to their life and property.
One of the pilgrims said that it was illegal not to let them cross the border as they had their visas with them.
“If we are not allowed to go to India, why were we issued visas?” he said, adding that they had been travelling for hours.
Dispelling rumors of migration, he said that they perform this pilgrimage every year and always return to Pakistan.
Only six people had reached Lahore from Sindh last night and the rest arrived by bus.
An imigration official said that the families barred from leaving were told that their cases would be decided within 48 hours.
Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik had said that it was propaganda and that the people were going on a pilgrimage, adding that the Indian High Commission had been asked to explain why it issued visas to 250 Hindu citizens of Pakistan.
Provincial Excise and Taxation Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla had also dismissed the travel of the Hindus and explained their visas as 40-day pilgrimage travel permits.
COMMENTS (95)
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@Subhani:
If that is the case then how come Muslims are not running to Pakistan like Hindus are running to India?
I'm a christain but I prefer to refer me as Indian,We Christains,Muslims,Hindus are happily living India as brothers since 1947 and we'll be for sure.
@Sinclair: " Our allegiance is (and should be) to the Idea of India, not Hinduism. Understand that." That "idea of India" is only possible in a predominantly Hindu India. Do not be uppity! Hinduism is the foundational rock on which Indian ethos rests. It is those Hindus that make India work and project the soft power that it does. When world looks at India, it recognizes Hindu just as when the world looks at America, it sees power of Christianity. Without Hindus, India means nothing! "India IS Hindu" and "Hindu IS India". The rest are appendages attached to that Hindu core! Understand that? If you can't, you are in the wrong place!
@kaalchakra: One more thing ,For us our nation is more important than the religion.Unlike you who is muslim first then anything else,we feel pride in calling ourself Hindustani than hindu.Damn I can kick out my religion for the cause of my nation if possible.Vande Matram..Vande matram..That is what in my mind,my heart,my eyes and in my breath.
@kaalchakra: If so is your thinking then listen, damn you can affect us by committing atrocity on hindus in pak.We demolished Babri ,you vandalized temple. But Human right voilation in kashmir is long time story and still going on...could you stop us by killing ,raping hindu in your country.Answer is absolute no.We r already in billions and 40 lakh hindu is just like a drop in Gangese. Forestalling hinduism ,that much of sacrifice does not mean anything to us. Oh If you really want to stop atrocity on muslim ,Go and abduct an indian hindu girl and convert her forcefully.But be ready for godhara like carnage ..... Buddy this is india not pakistan.Yahan hamara raj chalta hai
@True Muslim Paki: “But Pakistan should ensure, these people dont take any of our wealth..”
They have only cloths on their back. All their property is left back. They had to take meals in charity from Gurudwara. Pakistan has become a realy evil state.
@Dr Priyanka: I am a follower of Shotgun Murugan ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Almost the same as you.
These people are not pilgrims. Its very clear that they are refugees but they are too scared to admit it.
@Iqbal: "I think you will agree with me that due to the image of muslims (specially from Pakistan) the law abiding muslims in UK are paying a heavy price in jobs etc." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The virus of Pakistani roots travels far...in this case across the oceans to UK. No antibiotics seem to work. Living in a progressive society like the UK does'nt change the mindset of the immigrant Pakistanis, what will? Btw the same handicap of being Pakistani is prevalent in the entire middle east with only lowly jobs open to people of that country. And Mr Iqbal Sir, I thank you for introducing a new facet in this discussion.
@Mr S: From where did you learn that law, man? That if they are your citizens you can do whatever you want to do, WOW. Now you know why and how you made Bangladesh secede.
I don't know why there is such a shocked reaction to what I wrote. It is not like all this has not happened before. Please look up old research articles by investigative authors like Farzana Versey of Mumbai. They exposed the fact that Hindus in Kashmir ran away from their homes because Hindu Governor of Kashmir - who was from RSS - distributed free tickets to all Hindus and because Hindu hardliners made luxurious arrangements for them in Delhi. This was a masterstroke on their part in delegitimating the Kashmir freedom struggle. So to those who know India and Indians well, we have here merely a re-enactment of an old Islamophobic script in the subcontinent.
No matter how inconvenient, we must accept the truth. W would all like to think that nobody does any wrong.
@True Muslim Paki: "But Pakistan should ensure, these people dont take any of our wealth.." Their wealth is their hard-earned one, even more so considering under what onerous conditions they earned it. What right do you have over that wealth? As far as Kashmiris are concerned, you don't want them unless they come with the territory of Kashmir, right? Usual Islamic logic: heads I win, tails you lose!
@kaalachakra "These people must not be allowed to leave. If no Hindus remain in Pakistan, Hindus in India will become totally free with respect to our brothers and sisters in India. The Great Quaid would be horrified if his plan failed because Hindus ran away from Pakistan with the help of the Indian government."
Ew, sick!...what kind of person u are...
@Diogenes: Warned? Don't warn us. We can deal with him.
@Indian Catholic: I am one of the followers of Lord Kartikeya [Murugan if you want]. And I am half Marathi[Mumbai wali] and half Rajasthani.
@kaalchakra:
"These people must not be allowed to leave. If no Hindus remain in Pakistan, Hindus in India will become totally free with respect to our brothers and sisters in India. The Great Quaid would be horrified if his plan failed because Hindus ran away from Pakistan with the help of the Indian government."
If you are so worried about your "brothers and sisters in India", why don't you and Pakistan offer them an unconditional open door immigration facility? While at it, why not open your doors to the 300,000 Behari Pakistanis who have been languishing in Bangladesh refugee camps for the past four decades?
As for the "great" Quaid, his plan has already failed. Minority population in Pakistan (West) has shrunk from about 25% soon after the Partition to the current figure of 4%.
I think these Pakistani Hindus very clearly understood the message from the ex Prime Minister of Pakistan (Gilani - the disgrace to the whole nation) "WHY DONT THEY LEAVE THEN, WHO IS STOPPING THEM". India be ready for a huge wave of migrants from Pakistan.
Hey Kaalchakra,
Please do something so that around 650,000 Pakistani non-bengali Muslms citizens living in the refugee camps in Bangladesh since 1971 are brought back to Pakistan. Theya re living a life of inhuman.
Have Pakistan ever thought of them or send some help to fellow Mulsims who had always been loyal and did what was asked to by the Pakistani non-Bengali army in 1971.
@gp65: I know Polpot's comments were sarcastic. I think you will agree with me that due to the image of muslims (specially from Pakistan) the law abiding muslims in UK are paying a heavy price in jobs etc. The situation in UK is getting worse. More muslim parents are sending their kids to madrassas and in some cases (as reported in Channel 4) they preach hatred towards hindus and other religions. When these kids grow they don't have degrees and get involved in crime. Its like a dog chasing its own tail. I am hoping the UK governement will ban all madrassas or monitor them properly. Very few employers want to hire us for good jobs and I don't blame them.
@Iqbal: I appreciate your post providing details about Pakistani and Bangladesi employment vis-avis Indians. With regards to Polpot, I would imagine he shares your opinion. He was simply being sarcastic about all the conspiracy theorists in Pakistan.
@Farrukh khan: "Pakistan is moving fast towards religious cleansing it started with the murder of minorities minister a governer who supported the cause of minorities. Pls. See how comfortably Muslims live in West yet being a minority"
Religious cleansing did not start in 2011 with kiling of SalmanTaseer as you seem too indicate. It started in 1950 with anti-Hindu riots. There were 20% Hindus in present day Pakistan in 1947 and now there are less than 2%. And no party is free from the blot of religious discrimination including the relatively libral PPP who enacted anti-Ahmadiya laws under ZAB's rule.
@True Muslim Paki: “But Pakistan should ensure, these people dont take any of our wealth..”
what i believe from your comment is that u are also one of those kidnapers who are always behind hindus wealth....
u call urself true muslim.....does your islam teach u that thing?
@Sunny: so you want to make us hostage, kALACHAKRA is not advancing any new idea. That is what their Qaid had said that the Muslims in India will be safe if Hindus are in Pakistan when asked about the safety of Muslims in India after partition.
Sunny, Don't enter into any argument with sick minds. Keep reading their newspapers to see how Islamic nation is melting down.
To all fellow Indians arguing about a population swap, understand the difference between citizens and illegals. Indian muslims, who are citizens of India, cannot be told to do anything by any Hindu-India fanatic about what to do. They are not cattle that you can ride into whichever field you like. Jihadists, if they challenge the state of India (which it probably will happen in not too far a future), should and will be dealt with accordingly. But if anybody thinks there is a chance of another partition - you are day dreaming. Our allegiance is (and should be) to the Idea of India, not Hinduism. Understand that.
The Indian govt must take up with Pakistan govt to allow all Hindus to return to India. India is the natural homeland for all Hindus of Indian origin.
@Polpot: "I can detect a conspiracy against Pakistan straight away. How do I sue the British Govt?"
I note you left out Bangladesh. Has it crossed your mind that the laws in UK are extremely fair. The report clearly says in employment and not the government. The fact is that Hindus are more polite, law abiding and more educated then us. To prove my point the muslim and hindu population in UK is 2.7% and 1.0% respectively (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DemographyoftheUnitedKingdom) whereas the prison population is 12.5% and 0.5% respectively (www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN04334.pdf ). Any statistian will tell you that a muslim is more likely to be involved in crime then a hindu. Based on this facts do you blame the British? In any case only a muslim can be a president in Pakistan whereas in UK that is not the case. You should therefore start lecturing Pakistan about laws and not UK.
@kaalchakra: If all Hindus left Pakistan and nothing happened to your brother and sisters in India than what? Would you start respecting a secular society? Interestingly for your information even Shia and Ahmadi’s feel safe in India and can practices religion of their choice without the prosecution or to prove if they are true Muslim or not. The million dollar question is what Pakistani society will do to Shia and Ahmadi’s? Would you send them to India too?
@Temur: May be true. but now put the numbers of those people against 200 million indian muslims against thousands of hindus migrating to india against their total population of 2 million. you will get your answer if you are good in maths.
Actually these Hindus from Pakistan are Goodwill Ambassadors +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ They will share details of life in the holy land (Pakistan)
@yacob malik: They won't. Why not make an offer to them and see. They have more rights and better opportunities in India. But, if any of them wished to leave, trust me, we will NOT get in the way.
Rajan
@nitish
Then please do just stop telling us what to do, as I have said anyone who wants to migrate govt shouldn't stop them. All who wants to leave good luck and have fun jahan rahoo Khush rahoo apne kharche par rahoo.
I wonder that Pakistan govt too has also lost sense by stopping their citizens at the border ( on the report that probably they may not come back) . This is done to save condemnation in the international community for mass migration seeking asylum based on religious persecution. till now there was room for the govt. to deny the persecution ( though no body believes their denial) now it has been affirmed with govt stamp. It leads to believe that the basic virus of non sense and intolerance is there in the majority of society of Pakistan( reflected by their elected representative) and gives the thinking that there is something wrong with the Pakistanis and also with Islam the religion itself. i believe that Islam, the religion, is very good but the Pakistani Muslims , i feel, are mainly responsible for this distorted image of the religion. . Sanity will prevail I hope.
@yacob malik: if dreams were horses ?
@Usman: "Just because of your irresponsible reporting, i have already made my mind to stop reading ET." Sun hurts eyes start living in darkness
@Umer: "You are confusing citizenship with slavery." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ You remind me of Russian curbs on Jew immigration to Israel. Stories of suffering and misery.
@Temur: "For your kind information Karachi is full of illegal immigrants form India. " ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sir r u implying that all the problems of Karachi are due to the illegal immigrants from India? Anyway I think you have identified another Indian conspiracy against Pakistan... Pls call up Uncle Malik.
Indian Consulate had to explain why it has issued visas to 250 pak citizens- Interior Minister Rehman Malik,
HA HA This guy is insane and gone nuts. He doesn't even know basic diplomatic rules, An Emabassy has a right to issue or reject a visa for every valid passport holders submitted for visa. Embasssy does not have to take any permission from the host country offcials.
I am surprsied how he became the interior minister.
@True Muslim Paki:
That is why you also must also take up all Muslims of India barring their wealth of course.
Thank you pakistan for allowing hindu pilgrims to celebrate holy day of janmashtami in India.
@Farrukh khan: "Pakistan is moving fast towards religious cleansing" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hail Pakistan ! Where are the concentration camps?
@True Muslim Paki: "But Pakistan should ensure, these people dont take any of our wealth.." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ By wealth You of course mean the Jihadi mindset and the loadshedding.
I don't know why the Pakistanis are mad. Pakistan is an Islamic republic, where Hindus do not even have the right to register their marriages.
Institutionally, ideologically and socio-economically its clear Pakistan is a country for Muslims, that too Sunni Muslims only. Even Ahmadi Muslims are targeted as they don't fit into the definition of a Pakistani Muslim. Shias come next.
With all this in mind, with so much discriminative practices institutionalized in Pakistan, clearly for the purpose of elimination and subjugation of Muslims, why are the Pakistanis stopping their travel to India? Isn't this what they want? Isn't this the reason why they put up so many barriers for Hindus and non-Muslims?
India is happy to have them, you should too be happy to send them. They are going to a better place and you all believe Pakistan will be a better place without them. A win-win scenario!!
Pakistan was created for Muslims, isn
t it? Why all the fuss? I would say, let all Hindus, Sikh`s go to India, why stop them? ET should stop hyping up things unnecessarily.But Pakistan should ensure, these people dont take any of our wealth..
@yacob malik we dont any immigrants especially from india and afghanistan we have already suffered enough in karachi.
@Iqbal
You are right.
Muslims are a failure wherever they go. Hindus are a success wherever we go.
Even India is more successful than all muslim countries. But don't measure evrything from petro-dollars. Because without petro-dollars, Arab world would be worse than Pakistan today.
@Usman:"Just because of your irresponsible reporting, i have already made my mind to stop reading ET." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Just because of your reporting all my friends have made up their mind to read the ET. Well Done ET.
@Sapan Kapoor ironic its coming from an indian
@Sapan Kapoor
All you have to do is have your govt issue a statement asking all hindus and sikhs in pakistan to migrate, no one stopping you so plz ask your govt to do it. Pakistan should not stop anyone who wants to migrate. See problem solved.
Pakistan is moving fast towards religious cleansing it started with the murder of minorities minister a governer who supported the cause of minorities. Pls. See how comfortably Muslims live in West yet being a minority
Pakistani Hindus: Voting with their Feet! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Rectifying the blunder made in 1947 by their parents.
@yacob malik: "We pakistanis ask indian muslims to migrate to pakistan in millions as a retaliation." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pls do share the results of your commendable initiative.How many millions?
What is with this picture? . Are all the Hindus in Pakistan Murugan worshipers? . ET: Please change the file photo to something reasonable. In India I hardly ever see Hindus like that.
What do Pakistanis want now? That the Hindus should leave their women behind?
@Subhani: stop joking.
Wonder if Rehman Malik has any sense left! Why should India explain its actions of providing visa to anyone who wants to travel to India?
And even if India offered asylum/citizenship to Hindus of Pakistan, does India really need to explain its actions? It isn't offering citizenship and shelter to terrorists (like Pakistan does), it is providing succor to discriminated & persecuted Hindus of Pakistan.
Why can't Mr. Malik try to figure what caused almost all of Hindus of Pakistan to migrate out of Pakistan?
Rehamn Malik: the issue of 250 visas is a Conspiracy against Pakistan +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Its time for Pakistan to have a Ministry of Conspiracies. No prize for guessing the Minister.
@Subhani: Agreed. But how many Indian muslims are waiting in line to migrate to Pakistan or Bangladesh?
@Vischnu Datta... For your kind information Karachi is full of illegal immigrants form India. Most of the Muslims who come to visit their relatives never go back to India. It is the weakness of the state of Pakistan that is has never raised this issued.
Well , if they didn't want to live here they should be allowed to go and so does for anyone else who wants to go and live somewhere else . Pakistan is for Pakistanis.
@Mr S, Not just these, please allow all Pakistan Hindus and Sikhs to migrate to India. We want all of them.
@Subhani:
If that is the case then how come Muslims are not running to Pakistan like Hindus are running to India?
Few months ago, our CONVICTED PM Gillani said during an interview in London, Those who do not like the country, can leave, who is stooping?.... I guess people are taking it seriously...
@Usman, You are free to stop reading ET if you are unable to understand the article. In yesterdays article its clearly mentioned that 60 families are going to cross border for rituals but they may never return back...
It is regretable that Hindu families have been stopped at Wagha nad not allowed to go to Inida it is against the human rights. Interior minister should know how much trouble pilgrims had faced and imagine if the indian government stop muslim pilgrims not to visit pakistan on the pretext they they might settle down in Pakistan. Shamful behaviour and should be condmned. Pakistan shuld treat religious minorities in such a way that they need migrate byt it is open secret that pakistani muslims are also migrating when ever they get the chance although elite have dual naionalities
The poor souls were earlier being persecuted by the communities and now being harassed by the Government! Well done Dr. Rehman Malik
Hindus in India should stop harassing and killing the Muslims too. Pakistan government has every right to stop it's citizens without regard to their religion in matters of security.
@ All indian trolls and ET.
They are going for their rituals not emigration... stop telling lies to the nation as you did yesterday that they are leaving Pakistan because of persecution.
Just because of your irresponsible reporting, i have already made my mind to stop reading ET.
Our heads hang in shame....The Christians left, the Parsi left,the Sikhs are insecure most of us who could leave have left, good honest citizens are so insecure that they thank God for every day of their lives ....wake up before nothing is left.
@Mr S:
You are confusing citizenship with slavery. And no they are not treated like citizens as then they wouldn’t have to leave like this to another country.
786 young indian muslim emigrants with valid Pakistani visas
stopped at wagah border from indian authorities to enter Pakistan.
The way things are going on in this holy land, the day is not far when people from other religions follow suit.
Just look at Karachi. Who would be sane enough to live in a city where life is not safe. Same with other parts of the country.
Some people need to wake up before its too long.
@ Sapan:
First of all they are our citizen, we have right what to do or not with them. And yes you can keep them. Also please take your 3 million "Afghan brothers" residing in Pakistan before talking about hypocrisy.
Two nation theory fails every day in pakistan. Hindus dont want to live in pakistan and muslims dont want to leave India. Its rather a "My kingdom" theory which only lasted few years. now the king is long gone, the subjects have no clue what to do.
they want to migrate permanently.. why not allow them?
When they migrate to India they should move into UK where thay will be considered much above the muslims.
As per UK government's report I note:
“Hindus are four times less likely to be unemployed than Pakistani and Bangladeshi Muslims”
This is per: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2002/feb/20/race.immigrationpolicy
Hindus are doing much better then us in the West where neither hindus or muslims are in majority. They put more emphasis on fairness, education and health.
I suggest, let them go....let them live, wherever they feel safe and comfortable
@kaalchakra..You always surprise me with your comments. You can not not force someone to stay in the country. The hindus are not running away with Indias help. We are forcing them to run away. We are intolerant towards other religions, sects and cultures.Shame on you and shame on us as a nation.
india has been home to muslim and hindu immigrants since 1947, till today, india has received more muslim immigrants/refugees from bagladesh than hindus from Pakistan & Nepal.
@Kallchakra,
so you want to make us hostage,
Now Pakistani government is crossing its limit by harassing her own citizens. If the Hindus want to migrate to India, you cannot forcibly stop them like this. This is hypocrisy at its best.
Shame Pakistan. India should shed away its inaction, and took active stance for the protection of destitute Hindus in Pakistan.
Instead resolving the core issue of decrimination of Hindus, now Rehman Malik ressorting to dirty tactics. Community decided to migrate and will not come back unless assured equal rights and security in Pakistan. To cross the border community can resort to any statement. Let them enter the soil of India and see their reaction.
Stop this hypocrisy and stop harassing the Hindus. Let them cross the borders.
These unfortunates are not allowed to live nor allowed to run. Orwellian society.
Has the Government ever questioned Saudis for issuing visas to Pakistani pilgrims?
"The pilgrims, speaking to thee media, said that they were going on a pilgrimage and that they were not migrating."
ET reader were told by your news they are migrating permanently ,stop discrimination
These people must not be allowed to leave. If no Hindus remain in Pakistan, Hindus in India will become totally free with respect to our brothers and sisters in India. The Great Quaid would be horrified if his plan failed because Hindus ran away from Pakistan with the help of the Indian government.
It's very sad to hear that migration happends after 60 odd years of division....It shows how the country is progressing..