A group of Pakistani Hindus on Sunday took out a procession in Jodhpur and called on chief minister Ashok Gehlot, who assured them to address their immediate problem, including a temporarily shelter. “It was a peace march to draw world’s attention on the plight of such Pakistani Hindu minority,” says Seemant Lok Sangthan [SLS] president Hindu Singh Sodha, who led the march. The Opposition BJP also sought a refugee status for the Pakistani Hindus.
According to the SLS, over 1,500 Pakistani Hindus participated in the march and reached the Jodhpur Circuit House to call on Mr Gehlot, who was in town. The group of marchers included 347 Pakistani Hindus, who migrated to India in the recent months. Only last week, 171 Pakistani Hindus had migrated to India through the weekly Thar Express. “We got information that 80 Hindus were supposed to board the Thar Express to migrate to India but now we were told their tickets were being cancelled, says Mr Sodha. The Thar Express arrives every Sunday from Pakistan to Jodhpur.
“We me the CM and briefed him about the problems and miseries of the Pakistani Hindus. Our immediate concern is a shelter to the Hindus who have been living in an almost open space,” says Mr Sodha.
The CM directed the administration to help the displaced Hindus. “The CM asked our representatives to come Jaipur to discuss their problems,” says Mr Sodha.
The CM said that the state government had also helped such minority Hindus from Pakistan. According to the SLS, when a group of 171 Hindus arrived in Jodhpur last week on pilgrim visas, 176 more such Hindus joined on the same visa now.