Life worse than death for Hindus in Pakistan-III
Traumatised faces glow after some help from NGOs
The Government of India might have shown reluctance to grant asylum to the agonised Pakistani Hindus living in refugee camps at Majnu Ka Tilla and Bijwasan in Delhi for the last three months, the local Hindus wholeheartedly came forward to help them. Soon after the news of their plight spread, a number of voluntary organisations, lawyers and social activists stepped in to arrange for food, sanitation and even education for them. Noted spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Guruji also met them and assured every possible help.
After decades long persecution in Pakistan these traumatised Hindus had entered India in September 2011 with no plans to go back. Though their visa has expired on October 6, 2011, they are adamant not to return. Some human rights activists also have come to their rescue. “We have moved applications for long-term visa and subsequently the Indian citizenship. They need to be granted the status of refugees immediately so that they can earn livelihood, as under visa extension nobody is allowed to work. In such cases for applying Indian citizenship it is mandatory to stay here for at least 7 years,” said senior advocate and general secretary of Human Rights Defense (India) Shri Rajesh Gogna. He pointed out that over 5000 Pakistani Hindus, presently staying in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana and Delhi, are waiting for asylum and Indian citizenship.
“It is purely a matter of human rights and not the religious one. Protecting the Hindus living in any part of the world is the duty of Government of India. Israel had enacted a law during the forties allowing the Jews living in any part of the world to settle in Israel at any stage of life, provided one is not involved in any criminal activity. There should be a similar law for Hindus in India. If we can offer red carpet to Bangladeshi infiltrators why can’t we do it for the Pakistani Hindus who are the sufferers,” asked Shri Gopal Agrawal, vice president of the HRDI.
The refugees are overwhelmed with the support they are receiving in India. “We are surviving only because of the help from generous people here. We have food and shelter and our children too are studying. Now we need help from the Government,” said Rukma Devi (70), one of the refugees. The refugees are keen to educate their children. There are daily classes in the camps. Not only the children, but the elders are also learning Hindi and mathematics.
Many people as well as organisations including the Akshardham Temple Trust, Bharat Swabhiman Trust of Swami Ramdev, Art of Living of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Ghaziabad-based Shiv Shakti Trust of Devi Maa, Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, Arya Samaj, Sewa Bharati, VHP, etc. have provided generous help. The HRDI had adopted them in the very beginning and is fighting for their cause. Recently, a delegation of the refugees met senior BJP leader Shri LK Advani who assured every possible help. They are also planning to meet the leaders of other political parties. “Our overall objective is to ensure protection and safety of the 30 lakh Hindus presently living in Pakistan. The Government of India must take concrete steps for their safety,” added Shri Gogna.
Delhi High Court stays refugee deportation
The interim relief granted by Delhi High Court on December 21 has generated a hope for the refugees. The Court directed the Centre not to deport them till it decides the matter. Taking note of a PIL seeking grant of asylum or Indian citizenship to these Pakistan nationals, the High Court sought the response from the Centre by February 29. “Let notices be issued to the Union Home Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs for response by February 29,” said a bench of acting Chief Justice AK Sikri and Rajiv Sahai Endlaw.
The PIL was filed by Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha leader Rakesh Ranjan. “The Constitution of Pakistan is based on religious preferences and the Hindus have remained denied of any civil, political or fundamental rights there. The forcible deportation of these people will not only be against the centuries old cultural heritage of India but also against Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees fundamental right to life and liberty to every person residing within the boundaries of India,” he said in the petition.
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Dera Dhuni Baba volunteer Naveen Jain, who has been looking after their needs since the very first day, observes that the women and girls have blossomed in this short stay in India. “When they had arrived two months ago, they used to cover behind black chadors; the volunteers literally tore these ‘masks’ off and told them to live and breathe freely. They have adapted beautifully,” he said adding that those who were habitual of saying Qasam Khuda Ki and some other similar words with every dialogue, now greet everyone with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ or ‘Namaskar’. “Earlier these women were very frightened. But now they freely serve the Ashram and also offer puja daily. Now they also look healthy,” he said.
The women also feel a change. “Now we can freely wear mangalsutra and use bindi, which was a distant dream in Pakistan. The greatest thing which makes us secure is that everybody around us seems our own, therefore no question of fear,” said Geeta (23). These refugees do not want to become a burden on the local people. They want the government to allow them to work, as majority of them are skilled labourers and are able to earn their livelihood. “Dozens of us are trained drivers, electricians, motor mechanics, etc. and the rest can work as agricultural labourers,” said Sagar Rai.
Traumatised faces glow after some help from NGOs
The Government of India might have shown reluctance to grant asylum to the agonised Pakistani Hindus living in refugee camps at Majnu Ka Tilla and Bijwasan in Delhi for the last three months, the local Hindus wholeheartedly came forward to help them. Soon after the news of their plight spread, a number of voluntary organisations, lawyers and social activists stepped in to arrange for food, sanitation and even education for them. Noted spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Guruji also met them and assured every possible help.
After decades long persecution in Pakistan these traumatised Hindus had entered India in September 2011 with no plans to go back. Though their visa has expired on October 6, 2011, they are adamant not to return. Some human rights activists also have come to their rescue. “We have moved applications for long-term visa and subsequently the Indian citizenship. They need to be granted the status of refugees immediately so that they can earn livelihood, as under visa extension nobody is allowed to work. In such cases for applying Indian citizenship it is mandatory to stay here for at least 7 years,” said senior advocate and general secretary of Human Rights Defense (India) Shri Rajesh Gogna. He pointed out that over 5000 Pakistani Hindus, presently staying in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana and Delhi, are waiting for asylum and Indian citizenship.
“It is purely a matter of human rights and not the religious one. Protecting the Hindus living in any part of the world is the duty of Government of India. Israel had enacted a law during the forties allowing the Jews living in any part of the world to settle in Israel at any stage of life, provided one is not involved in any criminal activity. There should be a similar law for Hindus in India. If we can offer red carpet to Bangladeshi infiltrators why can’t we do it for the Pakistani Hindus who are the sufferers,” asked Shri Gopal Agrawal, vice president of the HRDI.
The refugees are overwhelmed with the support they are receiving in India. “We are surviving only because of the help from generous people here. We have food and shelter and our children too are studying. Now we need help from the Government,” said Rukma Devi (70), one of the refugees. The refugees are keen to educate their children. There are daily classes in the camps. Not only the children, but the elders are also learning Hindi and mathematics.
Many people as well as organisations including the Akshardham Temple Trust, Bharat Swabhiman Trust of Swami Ramdev, Art of Living of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Ghaziabad-based Shiv Shakti Trust of Devi Maa, Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, Arya Samaj, Sewa Bharati, VHP, etc. have provided generous help. The HRDI had adopted them in the very beginning and is fighting for their cause. Recently, a delegation of the refugees met senior BJP leader Shri LK Advani who assured every possible help. They are also planning to meet the leaders of other political parties. “Our overall objective is to ensure protection and safety of the 30 lakh Hindus presently living in Pakistan. The Government of India must take concrete steps for their safety,” added Shri Gogna.
Delhi High Court stays refugee deportation
The interim relief granted by Delhi High Court on December 21 has generated a hope for the refugees. The Court directed the Centre not to deport them till it decides the matter. Taking note of a PIL seeking grant of asylum or Indian citizenship to these Pakistan nationals, the High Court sought the response from the Centre by February 29. “Let notices be issued to the Union Home Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs for response by February 29,” said a bench of acting Chief Justice AK Sikri and Rajiv Sahai Endlaw.
The PIL was filed by Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha leader Rakesh Ranjan. “The Constitution of Pakistan is based on religious preferences and the Hindus have remained denied of any civil, political or fundamental rights there. The forcible deportation of these people will not only be against the centuries old cultural heritage of India but also against Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees fundamental right to life and liberty to every person residing within the boundaries of India,” he said in the petition.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dera Dhuni Baba volunteer Naveen Jain, who has been looking after their needs since the very first day, observes that the women and girls have blossomed in this short stay in India. “When they had arrived two months ago, they used to cover behind black chadors; the volunteers literally tore these ‘masks’ off and told them to live and breathe freely. They have adapted beautifully,” he said adding that those who were habitual of saying Qasam Khuda Ki and some other similar words with every dialogue, now greet everyone with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ or ‘Namaskar’. “Earlier these women were very frightened. But now they freely serve the Ashram and also offer puja daily. Now they also look healthy,” he said.
The women also feel a change. “Now we can freely wear mangalsutra and use bindi, which was a distant dream in Pakistan. The greatest thing which makes us secure is that everybody around us seems our own, therefore no question of fear,” said Geeta (23). These refugees do not want to become a burden on the local people. They want the government to allow them to work, as majority of them are skilled labourers and are able to earn their livelihood. “Dozens of us are trained drivers, electricians, motor mechanics, etc. and the rest can work as agricultural labourers,” said Sagar Rai.
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