Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) demanded grant of citizenship to Pakistani minorities— Hindu and Sikh families — living in jhuggis (slums) and semi-permanent structures in unhygienic conditions on the Yamuna floodplains, south of Gurudwara Majnu Ka Tila.
Addressing the media, along with Pakistani Hindu refugee families on Monday, Manjinder Singh Sirsa president of DSGMC said 60 families have reached in New Delhi from Pakistan between February 2 to 16, while 10 families have reached few days ago. "Around 160 refugee families living in Delhi should be granted Indian citizenship on priority. Majority of the migrant refuge members are professionally qualified and willing to contribute to growth and economy of the India," he said.
Sirsa said that he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in this regard and he was very positive to their demand. "The Union Minister has already instructed union Home Secretary to find out any viable legal alternative to ensure dignified living to these families who has reached India leaving behind their movable and immovable properties in Pakistan.
He also demanded that their visa conditions be relaxed at the earliest so as they could move in other parts of the country seeking employment and education avenues to their children and told that at present their visa is restricted to Delhi or Haridwar which has put restriction on their movement and they are unable to explore avenues and opportunities in other parts of country. "A delegation of these Hindu and Sikh families will meet Union Home Minister to thank the Government for Citizenship Amendment Act Bill which has paved the way and hope for persecuted minorities in Pakistan," he added.
"These refuge families should be extended all facilities, privileges and benefits as per international laws applicable to refugees to ensure dignified life to them as per international charter. Delhi Government and civic agencies in the national capital should provide opportunities like Kiosk or teh bazari etc to these families to lessen their dependence on charity organisations and other government agencies," he said.