Pakistan Sindhis who made India home felicitated

ULHASNAGAR: On the eve of India's 78th Independence Day, a programme was organised in Ulhasnagar Wednesday to commemorate what is called 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day'.

The organisers felicitated 54 members of Sindhi Hindu community who had crossed over to India from Pakistan over the last few years, and have now managed to secure Indian citizenship under the newly passed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) law during the past three months.

The new citizens took the stage to recall their "pain" while staying in Pakistan. They expressed their feelings about problems they were facing and how difficult it was for them to "keep their business and religion safe".

Prakash Devani, who got citizenship in July, claimed "minorities are tortured in Pakistan". Anit Kumar, who arrived in 2013, got citizenship in June. Saying he operated a marble business in Karachi, Anit claimed he heard "sounds of firing" there but feels safe here in Ulhasnagar. Anit came with his parents, wife and two children.

After the passage of CAA, four of his family members have got citizenship while his two children are also expected to get it soon. Dilip Hundlani arrived in 2010, with seven family members, of which five got documents last month. Hundlani was thankful to the government of India for instituting the CAA law.

Jai Kesh Nanjani, who crossed over to India in 2008, got citizenship six months ago. He said earlier applicants had to travel to Delhi, but CAA has eased the procedure.

The Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha, an NGO which assists Pakistani Hindu Sindhis get citizenship, said of the 150 people awaiting citizenship for the last 10 to 15 years, 54 had received their documents in just three months owing to the new CAA law. The event was organised by Rashtriya Sindhi Bhasha Vikas Parishad, Maharashtra State Sindhi Sahitya Academy and Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation.


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