Time to formulate a refugee policy ?Rajesh Gogna

secretary general, HRDI

INDIA should simplify the rules of granting refugee status or citizenship to the persecuted Hindus coming from any country without delay.

The persecuted Hindus, entering India from Pakistan or Bangladesh, are facing enormous problems due to lack of a clear cut refugee policy. Even the citizenship rules that we follow for these people are very complicated and make almost impossible for such people to get citizenship. Since the Hindus from neighbouring countries are entering India in a large number, there is a need to simplify the procedure and also to devise a clear policy for them.

“The case of Hindus coming to India from Pakistan has to be seen in a sympathetic  manner. They are terrorised people who cannot go anywhere other than India. They have to be given asylum. I feel those who have sought visa extension should not be persecuted further by the authorities in India. Rather, they should be given BPL status so that they can at least survive. As of now these refuges are not allowed to open their bank account, obtain driving licence or start any business. Without these basic necessities their survival becomes extremely difficult and they are virtually denied a respectable living by the Government of India.

“Apart from it, they should also be given the right to get education and earn livelihood freely. Such rights have already been given to the Tibetan refugees. The case of Pakistani Hindus is no different from the Tibetans. Therefore, they should be allowed to live with dignity and the question of deporting them should not arise at all,” says secretary general of Human Rights Defence India (HRDI) advocate Rajesh Gogna while talking to Organiser.