More than 250 Hindu from Pakistan who were given citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), celebrated their first Independence Day, amid the drizzles and uncertainty looming over their head about the encroachment drive by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). These Pakistani Hindu are residing near Majnu Ka Tila Gurudwara, in a dainty slum.
On the occasion of Independence Day celebrations, they sang patriotic songs, unfurled tricolor, danced in happiness. These people, especially the girls, celebrated their freedom to go to school and venture outside without fearing forceful conversions. Today, these Hindus dressed up in sparkling clothes and set up a stage where everyone danced. These euphoric Hindus stated that despite celebrating Independence Day every year for the last decade or more in the country, this time the occasion becomes even more special as many have been granted citizenship by the Central government and many are just days away from getting one with their application in the pipeline.
A 16 year old Bagwanti said that she is very happy to celebrate the occasion. “While we were there, we couldn’t step out of the home like we can do here. We couldn’t dance like this either. But now we can do this and also study. I dream of becoming a teacher,” the class 10 student said.
In the area, about 250 people live where atleast 150 of them have been given citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by the Centre. In the city, atleast 5,000 of such people who have fled from Pakistan live in different parts of city including Majlis Park, Signature Bridge, Adarsh Nagar, Rohini Sector 11 and 25.
DeenDayal, grandfather of the famous girl Nagarikta whose name was inspired from CAA and was also mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speeches, thanked the Indian Government and Prime Minister for giving them an identity. “Now we are free to go anywhere. We have the freedom to work and have the same rights as those who live here. I thank the government and Narendra Modi for giving citizenship. In sometime, we can also vote. We have always considered ourselves as a citizen of this country but today celebrating Independence Day officially as a citizen makes it even more important,” he said.
Adding that their plans of celebrating the occasion were even bigger, he said that the rain ruined so many things. “I just hope that the government gives us a house because we can be evicted from here anytime. We are hardworking people, we do not need any financial aid. We just wanted citizenship and a house. We are asking for it so we do not keep fearing for where we will go,” he said.
