The Government of India has decided to issue visas to bring remaining Hindu and Sikh families from Afghanistan to India as soon as possible. This decision was taken following a meeting held on Monday between the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president and national spokesperson of the Akali Dal, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and the Joint Secretary in charge of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs, J.P. Singh, in the Ministry of External Affairs. On Manjinder Singh Sirsa’s request, the ministry has decided to issue visas for around 600 people as of now.
In the meeting, Sirsa also brought up the matter of Pakistani extremists attempting to convert Gurdwara Sahib Shaheedi Asthan Bhai Taru Ji into a mosque in Lahore. He also took to Twitter to express his concerns on the issue, writing: “Another injustice with Sikhs in Pakistan-Shaheedi Sthan of Bhai Taru Singh Ji is now claimed as the place of Masjid Shahid Ganj. Sikhs even when they are the most humanitarian community are called ‘goonda’ by mischievous extremist elements in Pak who refuse to honour History.”
Sirsa had previously appealed to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and requested him to warn extremist groups in the country and take urgent action to stop illegal squatters. He had also mentioned, “This is against basic human rightsno one can deny a person freedom to practice their religion.”
In response to his plea, the Ministry of External Affairs had assured that the Gurdwara Sahib would not be harmed and the matter would be raised with the government of Pakistan. The ministry also ensured that strict action will be taken and the government of Pakistan would be asked to prevent any attack on or threat to other shrines in the future.