Modi's citizenship promise brings cheers to Pak Hindus

Hindus who migrated from Pakistan to India say they are delighted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise of Citizenship Amendment Bill as possessing Indian citizenship means one step forward towards a better future.

For now, that dream seems entirely blurred in reality as migrants still hope to receive basic amenities, rehabilitation packages, medical and educational facilities. They claim that they have been promised houses under the Indira Aawas Yojna by the government, but nothing has happened so far.

Hindus, who have migrated from Pakistan to India on pilgrim visa, are residing in pockets of Jodhpur. These migrants expressed their happiness over Modi's promise of granting them citizenship, during his rallies in Barmer and Jodhpur.

Moolchand, who came from Sindh province, said due to forceful conversions to Islam and daily harassment in Pakistan, he decided to move to India. "Women and girls cannot roam around freely in Pakistan. It gives a feeling that Modi delivers what he promises."

Bhagwati, a migrant school girl from Mirpurkhas in Sindh, who is in India for the last three years said, "Young girls could not go freely in Pakistan. But here in India, the right to education is my right.

Such right empowers women." Underlying the need to get citizenship in India, Keshu Devi said: "I feel good in India, but I want basic infrastructure. The idea of citizenship to Hindus is a matter of delight for us and if we become citizens of India then it would be the most delightful moment for us," she said.

Lalchand, another migrant, who aspires to be a doctor, said, "We were forced to read Islamic verses in Pakistan. I was even discriminated in the school as I was Hindu."

In order to give a bright future to the children of migrants, several NGOs have stepped up in the area and working towards their growth.

Meanwhile, Human rights activist Hindu Singh Sodha welcomed the citizenship promise made by the Prime Minister but also expressed concern on the legal aspect of the provision for pragmatic implementation. "The government must handle such sensitive matters with care," she said.

Sahil Pandey