World

Pakistani Hindus can now apply for long-term Indian visas online

India enables Pakistani citizens from minority communities particularly Hindus and Sikhs to apply for long-term visas

Web Desk April 23, 2015

PHOTO: forpakistan.org

The India government has enabled Pakistani citizens from minority communities, particularly Hindus and Sikhs, to apply for a long-term visa (LTV) online, the Times of India reported.

The online system will replace the manual system, and will also enable applicants to track the progress of their visas.

The Indian government has been taking measures to update the application process for some time to manage the applications more efficiently.

While the manual system of application will continue to operate alongside the online system for three months, applications will be received and processed online only from August 1.

This article originally appeared on The Times of India.

COMMENTS (52)

the eddy | 9 years ago | Reply @Fawwad: Oh really ...your constitution says different , though.

Naveen | 9 years ago | Reply This aggressive move shows face of secular India. By doing this they are giving a small message to Muslims that you are unwelcome and India is moving towards Hindutwa state concept where no other religion would be tolerated. The facility being granted to Pakistani minorities is a proof Indian govt Hindu mindset and also psychological gimmick to evoke sympathetic feelings amongst Pakistani minorities toward India. In turn, this also an Indian endeavor to effect the strong sense of patriotism which equally exist in Pakistani national irrespective of their religion, beliefs and ethnicity

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Abdul | 9 years ago | Reply @Fawwad: First ensure that Pakistan treats its own citizens equally and does not legally discriminate against them such as Ahmadis and other minorities. Ensure that any citizen regardless of religion can attain the highest of offices of your own country rather than whining about how other country chooses to treat your citizens.

globalobserver | 9 years ago | Reply @Vijaykumar: "India should extend such facility for Pakistani Ahmedi and shia Muslims too" Whle I have sympathy for anyone in Pakistan who is subjected to oppression, India doesn't have any moral responsibility to Muslims, Ahmadis, Christians, Shia etc. because these groups were vocal and proactive supporters for the creation of Pakistan. In contrast, the Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists never supported the Partition and were caught on the wrong side. Thus, India owes a moral obligation to these people to help them settle down in India.

Allaisa | 9 years ago | Reply @wb: In most cases it is true Indian Constitution applies to Indian citizens. But in some cases it applies to everyone as long as they are in India. This is so throughout the world. But it definitely does not apply to visa applicants.

Allaisa | 9 years ago | Reply @Pakistani Hindu: If you think it is double standard do not apply for it.

the eddy | 9 years ago | Reply @Ayesha: Go & refer to Space Out 's comment above to get the complete picture . There are thousands of Pak Hindus & Sikhs who are in India ...Many of their visas are going to expire , many of them have their "Indian citizenship application" pending . This is to help them . You people are behaving as if there's nothing wrong being done to these ppl . Your own media shamelessly would tell you about "India & its problems" but hide from you the plight of these ppl , which has forced them to migrate . Moreover are Pakistani Muslims facing religious persecution or these ppl ?? Also , India's is the only country , where poorer sections of Pak Hindus & Sikhs can migrate to....So I am flabbergasted that you people are shocked.

Malatesh | 9 years ago | Reply @Iqbal: India bashing people are ready to change their religion just to get settle in India..

Naresh | 9 years ago | Reply @Yo2da2: @Abdullah: As far as I know, Muslims from India have been able to move to Pakistan since 1947. So this may be a belated effort by the Indian Government to make it easier for Hindus of Pakistan to move to India. . I think in 1950 Pak PM Liaqat Ali Khan asked for and got an agreement with Indian PM J L Nehru that Indian Muslims will no more be accepted in Pakistan. Cheers

raw is war | 9 years ago | Reply @wb: Long term visa means residency.

Iqbal | 9 years ago | Reply A good move by India. All those who are discriminated in Pakistan should consider moving to India. These minorities cannot be Prime Ministers in Pakistan (also called Land of the Pure) but minorities in India can stand for the highest office in the land. In any case statistics worldwide show that Muslims have the highest crime rate. Why should India import this unwanted menace? My question to India is if I change my religion to being a hindu will they accept me?

JSM | 9 years ago | Reply On South African Embassy Website for visa seekers: "Every country has the sovereign right to decide who may or may not enter its territory. " Why so much noise when India exercises the option of defining rules in the matter.

devindersingh | 9 years ago | Reply @Chachoo: hahah.we like india face very well.yes we r seculer nation or can't change it or if you think indian muslim support you then you are in illusion.r if you want to change for indian minority we will be very happy

Milind | 9 years ago | Reply @Pakistani Hindu - "Why not for Pakistani muslims ? Why is this double standard from indian Government ?" Because Pakistani Muslims do not need visas to arrive in India... They anyway make their way through the Himalayan passes (in Kashmir) or through boats (in Mumbai)....

Vijaykumar | 9 years ago | Reply India should extend such facility for Pakistani Ahmedi and shia Muslims too

Fawwad | 9 years ago | Reply India is secular so isn't this Against secularism. India trying its best to make sure Pakistanis belonging to different religions feel different. Pakistanis of all religions are our brothers and sisters.

Arijit Sharma | 9 years ago | Reply @Ayesha: " ... But isn’t India says he is a democratic country & constitutionally does not discriminate based on age, race, religion? ... " The non-discriminatory rules are for India's citizens - not foreigners. Anyway - who in their right mind will give out long term visas to Muslims ? Even Muslims do not give out long term visas to other Muslims.

wb | 9 years ago | Reply @Ayesha: "But isn’t India says he is a democratic country & constitutionally does not discriminate based on age, race, religion?" Yes it does not. But Indian constitution is only applicable to Indian citizens. You understand that simple logic right? Every constitution is only applicable to the people of that country. Did you not learn this in 6th grade? For foreigners, we'll be selective who we give asylum to. We did give asylum to Tibetans. We won't give asylum to han-chinese. We should give asylum to persecuted Hindus and Sikhs and other Indic people of Pakistan and Bangladesh. We should NOT encourage non-Indic people of Pakistan or Bangladesh, be it Shia or Ahmadi or other persecuted groups.

bharat | 9 years ago | Reply Strangely i dont see one Indian muslim queing up for a Pakistani residency permit. Why dont they want to go ? The fact is most are happy and well integrated in India

the eddy | 9 years ago | Reply @GI Joe: Why should they be deported ? That is inhuman to deport refugees ,isn't it.

Shiv | 9 years ago | Reply Pakistanis: Charity begins at home. For more than 40 years, Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh have been disowned by their own country! By the way, they are Muslims! And you are not ashamed of asking questions of India, who after more than 70 years still shows compassion to those in need.

Jalal | 9 years ago | Reply Baluchis should also get long terms visa in India. They are being exterminated.

Meshuga | 9 years ago | Reply @TightPatloon: Pakistan already does that and has been from the beginning.

Yo2da2 | 9 years ago | Reply @ali: Learn some history, dear chap, before making utterly misinformed comments. India, under the temporal Modi administration, may simply be copying Pakistan's historically religion-based discriminatory policies. If it's good for the goose, it ought be good for the gander. I think the great poet Mohammed Iqbal said that in one his greatest poems.

BruteForce | 9 years ago | Reply @GS@Y: Being secular or unsecular has nothing to do with it. Congress Govt too issued visas to many HIndus and Sikhs. BJP govt brought this same process practiced by Congress to the digital world. Would you rather not have visas be hard to apply for the poor Hindus of Pakistan? If not, then would you are against the issuances of visas to Hindus, you can target Congress Govt which brought these changes into place in the past 10 years, whose secualrity you don't question. Math question: If there are 20 oranges in a basket of 100 apples. After 68 minutes, if there is only 1 Orange left, how long will it take till there will be no more Oranges left?

Yo2da2 | 9 years ago | Reply @Abdullah: As far as I know, Muslims from India have been able to move to Pakistan since 1947. So this may be a belated effort by the Indian Government to make it easier for Hindus of Pakistan to move to India.

Ayesha | 9 years ago | Reply @the eddy: Yes. But isn't India says he is a democratic country & constitutionally does not discriminate based on age, race, religion?

wb | 9 years ago | Reply @Ayesha: Yes. This is discrimination. And we absolutely encourage this discrimination. India must go a step further and make it easy for these groups of people to settle down in India permanently.

Sudhir | 9 years ago | Reply @TightPatloon: Please take all Muslims if they want to go to Pakistan. We have no problems at all. Please ask your government to start a open visa only for Muslims.

GS@Y | 9 years ago | Reply How can a secular government provide visa privileges based on religion? So a Pakistani Muslim wanting to travel to India to meet family or carry out religious pilgrimage has to jump through all the bureaucratic hoops but a Hindu or Sikh doesn't? The appropriately petty response would be to make visas harder for Indian Hindus and Sikhs, but we shouldn't stoop low like the Indians.

Pakka Indian | 9 years ago | Reply @Chachoo: The message is one-sidedly interpreted: the message is not to Indian Muslims but to Pakistanis that India will take in the long-suffering Hindu and Sikh minorities who have been systematically decimated and their properties usurped -- not to forget the abduction,forcible conversion into Islam and their marriage to old men of their daughters and sisters -- by the Pakistan Govt. in connivance with religious extremists and the street thugs. By the way, as a sovereign nation, India has the prerogative to issue visas to anyone it wants to and deny visas to anyone it does not want. However, by the same token, why don't you provide the same visa facility to Indian Muslims to visit or settle down in Pakistan? It would be interesting to see the response. Pakistanis also know very well how the world, not just India, treats them when it comes to visa issuance.

Rohit | 9 years ago | Reply @Abdullah: On the contrary, if Indian muslims are happy going to Pakistan, Indian government should help them migrate there permanently.

Rohit | 9 years ago | Reply Thank you, PM Modi. All persecuted Hindus and Sikhs are welcome in India. They are our brothers and should be helped in all possible ways. Indian government and citizens should make their rehabilitation as easy as possible.

TightPatloon | 9 years ago | Reply Sorry I meant long term visas for prosecuted Muslims of India Pakistan should provide

Engineer | 9 years ago | Reply Don't understand why Pakistanis are butt hurt. It is the prerogative of any government in the world to give visas to whomever they feel like. Does Pakistan give a visa to any Israeli? First look in the mirror then lecture others.

GI Joe | 9 years ago | Reply Just deport them to their home country if they want long term visas.

Babloo | 9 years ago | Reply Please encourage Indian muslims to join you in the home-land of muslims of south asia. Pakistan. You seem a little reluctant even as you have far less population density than in India. May be you are interested in punjabi muslims only and dont consider non-punjabi muslims as 'real' muslims ?

Spaced Out | 9 years ago | Reply An extract from the Time of India report which tells the complete story. This has been a long standing demand of Pakistani Hindus, I have seen a protest organised by them in Delhi. Emphasis to the quote below are mine.

The online application system will help Pakistani nationals belonging to minority community, particularly Hindus and Sikhs, who seek refuge in India for fear of religious persecution back home. These minority nationals come to India with the intention to settle permanently. The government, sympathetic to their cause, has been taking steps to streamline the procedures to facilitate their stay in India.

the eddy | 9 years ago | Reply @Ayesha: Your Own country is based upon religion.

the eddy | 9 years ago | Reply @TightPatloon: You are most welcome . So that the "fanatical" muslims all leave for Pakistan.

the eddy | 9 years ago | Reply @Pakistani Hindu: I am sure , you are not a Pakistani Hindu , but a Pakistani Muslim

the eddy | 9 years ago | Reply @Ayesha: @ali: You as if did not alienate these people that they are coming into India. Moreover , why should we let you people come to our country ??

TightPatloon | 9 years ago | Reply Pakistan must also respond with tit for tat. This will put the Indians in their place. A long terms visa on arrival for the prosecuted muslims of Pakistan. Pak is their rightful country and they have a right to stay here.

Raj - USA | 9 years ago | Reply @Chachoo: You say: "By giving visas to Hindus and Sikhs only they are simply giving a small message to the Muslims that you are unwelcome .............." It is not true at all. India has not only been willing but in fact demanding to give long term visas or visas on arrival and also permanent residency with free boarding and lodging to many muslims of Pakistan. These muslims of Pakistan include, Hafiz Saeed, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Sayeed Salahudeen, Masood Azhar, Dawood Ibrahim and many such others. In the past, India has also given long-term visas and visas on arrival to many Baluch muslims from Pakistan.

Babloo | 9 years ago | Reply Pakistan can have all Indian muslims and we will have all Pakistani Hindus. Remember Hindus and Sikhs were 22% of W Pakistan population while muslims who were 8% of Indian population in 1947 and are 15% now. Even if Pakistan, which was created on demand by muslims for a seperate homeland for muslims , does not accept muslims from India today, India would be glad to provide home to Pakistani Hindus on humanitarian grounds.

Pakistani Hindu | 9 years ago | Reply Why not for Pakistani muslims ? Why is this double standard from indian Government ?

Ayesha | 9 years ago | Reply Why only Hindus? This is totally a discriminatory act by government of India. They should have allowed LTVs to any Pakistani, irrespective of their religion so that all visa aspirants can get the same opportunity. What about the work visa? Can a Pakistani national get an Indian work visa?

ali | 9 years ago | Reply Very short sighted policy by Hindu fanatics in India, unfortunately, this shows Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan are used by Indian as their agents. At the same time Indian govt is proving itself as Muslim hating entity perpetrator of massacres of Indian Muslims and orchestrating instability in Pakistan.

Chachoo | 9 years ago | Reply This is the face of Secular India. The current government is alienating their own Muslim population by such acts. By giving visas to Hindus and Sikhs only they are simply giving a small message to the Muslims that you are unwelcome and in the future India is creeping towards the Hindu state concept. It is far from the so called Secular values where every religion is giving equal status and respect.

amartya Indian | 9 years ago | Reply BRAVO!!!! Modi :* :* :* :*

Shakti | 9 years ago | Reply A great help for the long suffering minorities of Pakistan.

Abdullah | 9 years ago | Reply Should Pakistan decides a tit-for-tat action, will the Indian Muslims be accepted by the Indian Society for similar acts or they will be treated as "Ghaddar"? I wonder!

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