While NGOs and human rights activists have been pulling out all the stops to help the Pakistani Hindus seeking refuge in India, the government has poured cold water on their hopes for asylum in India.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran, said: "All such Pakistani nationals who have come to India on group pilgrimage visa will have to return to Pakistan... within the visa validity period or the short extended period allowed in specific cases."
Help has been pouring in for these illegal migrants seeking sanctuary in India days after Headlines Today brought their plight to light.
People offer help to Pakistani migrants
NGOs, lawyers, professors and artists have stepped in to bring relief to the 113 Pakistanis, living in a refugee camp in the national capital. They have arranged for food, sanitation and even education for them.
Even spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar met the refugees at their camp on Tuesday.
These Hindus from Pakistan were victimised and persecuted in their country following which they came to India with no plans to go back. Some human rights activists have also come to their rescue.
Human Rights Defence secretary general Rajesh Gohna said, "We have moved the application for extension of visa for them and now we are going to meet the chief visa officer on the first (December 1). Our group could go there along with their representatives. We will request the government of India that their visas should be extended and long-term visa should be granted to them and subsequently citizenship should also be granted to them."
The refugees were overwhelmed with the support they have been getting and made no bones that they want asylum in India.
One of the refugees, Shanti Devi, said, "We are surviving because of help from such people. We have food and shelter. But now we need help from the government."
"Yes, we used to study there," said a girl in reply to a question, adding, "We were not taught Hindi or even Sindhi. They used to hit us a lot."
Read more at: Centre snubs Pakistani Hindus seeking refuge in India : North News - India Today
---------- Post added at 10:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 AM ----------
While the center is turning a blind eye to BD immigrants getting ration card & voter ID in India, it is actively rejecting asylum to Pakistani Hindus. I guess the Govt wants to portray how "secular" it is
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran, said: "All such Pakistani nationals who have come to India on group pilgrimage visa will have to return to Pakistan... within the visa validity period or the short extended period allowed in specific cases."
Help has been pouring in for these illegal migrants seeking sanctuary in India days after Headlines Today brought their plight to light.
People offer help to Pakistani migrants
NGOs, lawyers, professors and artists have stepped in to bring relief to the 113 Pakistanis, living in a refugee camp in the national capital. They have arranged for food, sanitation and even education for them.
Even spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar met the refugees at their camp on Tuesday.
These Hindus from Pakistan were victimised and persecuted in their country following which they came to India with no plans to go back. Some human rights activists have also come to their rescue.
Human Rights Defence secretary general Rajesh Gohna said, "We have moved the application for extension of visa for them and now we are going to meet the chief visa officer on the first (December 1). Our group could go there along with their representatives. We will request the government of India that their visas should be extended and long-term visa should be granted to them and subsequently citizenship should also be granted to them."
The refugees were overwhelmed with the support they have been getting and made no bones that they want asylum in India.
One of the refugees, Shanti Devi, said, "We are surviving because of help from such people. We have food and shelter. But now we need help from the government."
"Yes, we used to study there," said a girl in reply to a question, adding, "We were not taught Hindi or even Sindhi. They used to hit us a lot."
Read more at: Centre snubs Pakistani Hindus seeking refuge in India : North News - India Today
---------- Post added at 10:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 AM ----------
While the center is turning a blind eye to BD immigrants getting ration card & voter ID in India, it is actively rejecting asylum to Pakistani Hindus. I guess the Govt wants to portray how "secular" it is

