‘Fleeing persecution’: 171 Bheel pilgrims to seek asylum in India
The “Thar Express” train, carrying 171 Pakistani Hindu pilgrims, chugged into the city of Jodhpur on Sunday. Although these Hindus are on a pilgrimage trip (yatra), their leader said they would not go back to Pakistan.
The Samenath Lok Sangathan (SLS), an Indian organisation working for the welfare of Hindus, has appealed to the Indian government to issue “refugee visas” to these pilgrims.
At the Jodhpur railway station, the Pakistani Hindus were received by SLS volunteers who made arrangements for their lodging and food. For years, the SLS has been working for the settlement of Pakistani Hindus in India.
According to a spokesperson for the SLS, all 171 Pakistani Hindus – among them 32 women and children – are residents of Sanghar and Hyderabad cities of Sindh province. They belong to the Bheel tribe. Complaining about the “miserable condition” of Hindus in Sindh, one of the Hindu pilgrims told the BBC that his father died recently but local Muslim residents did not allow him space to perform his last rites.
“We are feeling insecure because of the alarming rise in Islamic extremism in Pakistan. We would rather die here (in India) than go back to Pakistan,” he added.
The SLS spokesperson said the Pakistani Hindus who reached Jodhpur were visibly shaken. “Fear is writ large on their faces. They are worried about their future because it is a matter between two countries,” he added.
Reports say Hindus, particularly those in Sindh, are facing persecution, including forced conversion to Islam. It was also reported in Pakistani media that a sizeable number of Hindus is planning to seek political asylum in India.
On August 10, President Asif Zardari had formed a parliamentary committee to investigate the reported persecution of Hindus in Sindh.
The committee – comprising Senator Maula Bux Chandio, MNA Lal Chand, Senator Hari Ram Kishori Lal and Dr Khatumal Jeewan – visited different cities of Sindh and met with Hindu community leaders.
In its report submitted to President Zardari earlier this month, the committee said some Hindus did complain about abduction of their girls and their forced conversion to Islam which had caused resentment and sense of insecurity among them. The committee also proposed correctional measures.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2012.
COMMENTS (18)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@Truth - REALITY CHECK - Being in Saudi Arabia, I know of many Pakistanis who just refuse to go on their annual vacation to their motherland stating security reasons. You can hide in Saudi Arabia but all of you living in Saudi Arabia remember you are TEMPORARY RESIDENTS cause your MUSLIM BROTHERS refuse to grant you & others PERMANENT STATUS. While people like you hide in Arab countries, who do you think suffers from the ills in Pakistan, we sacrifice in life & limb, terror and corruption while you enjoy making good financial gains. When you all are BOOTED out of Saudi Arabia what do you expect to find in the MOTHERLAND and what is your contribution to improve conditions as you are paid slaves for your Muslim brethren in the Arab countries.
@PakPrince: Weathy because hindus work hard not because of state.............if weathy are running the problem must be even more alarming..............Animals in zoo are fater that those living free
Who will share the burden of the liability of all these new poeple? We are already more than 1.2 billion. It may become very scary situation and also there is a danger that some terrorists may enter by using passport of Hindus. We know how passports are created in Pakistan. Indian govt must be extremely cautious in letting these people come.
@vickram: "there will be a huge line of refugees near Wagah Border. That day is not far off !!" ya but may be on your side of border, LOL Just check how healthy they are and check your physical appearance and then decide who are leaving a better life
Very soon, not just non muslims but even muslims will start fleeing Pakistan. Being in Saudi Arabia, I know of many Pakistanis who just refuse to go on their annual vacation to their motherland stating security reasons. They say we are not crazy and stupid to travel to Pakistan knowing that the chances of returning are very low.
Now hindus are fleeing Pakistan.
After 2014, even Muslims will flee Pak and there will be a huge line of refugees near Wagah Border. That day is not far off !!
@sparky singh:
Additionally, I believe in free lunches.
People of all faiths are leaving Pakistan due to the security conditions and economic downturn.
@foruchandan:
Huh ???
@Indian:
"............will soon start hating muslims of india, and due to that second maya kodnani will born and then again masscare of indian muslims"
If is it so bad for Indian Muslims there, why is that more Muslims migrate to India from Pakistan and Bangladesh instead of the reverse?
Here is to hoping these man made borders will be forgotten one day, and our coming generations remain blissfully unaware of the delusions we lived under.
one of the Hindu pilgrims told the BBC that his father died recently but local Muslim residents did not allow him space to perform his last rites.
and
“We are feeling insecure because of the alarming rise in Islamic extremism in Pakistan. We would rather die here (in India) than go back to Pakistan,”
some believe that Pakistan will actually become peaceful after 2014, the ground reality says a different story,after 2014, Americans will abandon Afghanistan,but, will the extremists and mullahs with radicals thoughts abandon Pakistan and leave it for good? i don't think so.
On August 10, President Asif Zardari had formed a parliamentary committee to investigate the reported persecution of Hindus in Sindh. The committee – *comprising Senator Maula Bux Chandio, MNA Lal Chand, Senator Hari Ram Kishori Lal and Dr Khatumal Jeewan – visited different cities of Sindh and met with Hindu community leaders.* Is this what we do in Pakistan form snail slow committees? Minorities are being harassed, falsely blamed while WE citizens sit in silence? Where is the OUTRAGE from each one of us! This shameful wall of silence shows the rest of the world our complicity in these henious crimes towards Pakistani citizens who belong to other religious sects. But then again what am I thinking we Pakistanis talk the talk but refuse to walk the walk!
Welcome to the Islamic republic of Hindustan.
So far you were persecuted by the muslims of Pakistan. Now you will be persecuted by the pro-Islamic, anti-Hindu, pseudo-secular Congress government.
"out of the frying pan, into the fire"
All hindu brothers are welcome in India.
Now there family will soon start hating muslims of india, and due to that second maya kodnani will born and then again masscare of indian muslims
the guy in black stripped t-shirt is so cute... love him...