As the discussion about reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoJK) gains momentum, with public statements from various key ministers including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, it is imperative for Bharat to address another long-standing issue. The partition of Bharat led to millions migrating from Pakistan to Bharat, leaving behind vast tracts of lands, homes, other properties and businesses, which the Pakistani government subsequently seized without compensating or rehabilitating the displaced population (which comprise mostly non-Muslims) or allocating those lands to the incoming population who migrated from Bharat to Pakistan.
In contrast to Pakistan, the lands of Muslims migrating from Bharat to Pakistan were given to the Waqf Board directly or indirectly by the Nehru-led Congress government and successive administrations until the BJP-led Modi government came into power in 2014. Although this practice, driven by appeasement policy and Muslim vote bank politics, is particularly contentious in “secular” Bharat, where a more uniform allocation of properties among all migrants- be they Hindus, Muslims, or of other religions- is expected, that is a different issue altogether. But the point here is that unlike Pakistan, in Bharat, those lands were allocated among the migrated population.
After the partition of Bharat in 1947, non-Muslim minorities in Pakistan comprised about 20% of the total population. They did not migrate to Bharat because they were assured by both- Congress leaders and Bharat’s then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, as well as Pakistan’s Governor-General Mohammad Ali Jinnah, that they would not face any discrimination in Pakistan and would have equal access to fundamental and other rights. Jinnah even stated that Pakistan would be a secular state where non-Muslim population would be protected. However, the opposite occurred. The formation of Pakistan after Bharat’s partition unleashed genocidal campaigns against religious minorities, especially Hindus and Sikhs population. They faced severe constitutional limitations, social stigma and grave injustice. In addition to inflicting on them various offences affecting body, their properties were also looted, and the migrant population coming Pakistan from Bharat were left landless as the Pakistani government seized assets of those who had left for Bharat, instead of allocating them to the incoming population for their settlement and rehabilitation. Despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, such as the Objective Resolution of 1949, non-Muslims were consistently targeted and treated with suspicion, often serving as scapegoats for government incompetence. Muslim jihadi terror began to terrorize and harass non-Muslims to such an extent that even Jogendra Nath Mandal, who had supported partition and became Pakistan’s first law minister, was forced to resign and flee to Bharat to save his life just a few months later.
At the time of partition, non-Muslim population in Pakistan was around 2.5 crores, and none of them were landless. However, today the few lakh Hindus and Sikhs who remain there in Pakistan- most of them are landless, having been dispossessed of their land by extremist elements who have state patronage. Many non-Muslim families who were once land owners are now labourers. The community’s population has drastically declined due to violence, forced conversions and migration. Not only Hindus and Sikhs but also many Muslims continued to migrate to Bharat and settle here because of heavy influence of extremist groups in Pakistani Muslim society, which often dictates terms to both the government and the general public. However, this freedom to migrate and settle was largely available only to Muslims (as in comparison to non-Muslims, they used to get permission to go to Bharat in easier way) while non-Muslims who remained in Pakistan lost their properties and livelihoods, and those who managed to come to Bharat did so after losing almost everything.
The Indian government has passed the Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019 to grant Indian citizenship to these minorities who suffered religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. This move aimed to provide relief and a safe heaven to those who have faced persecution and violence due to their religious beliefs. By granting citizenship to these individuals, the Indian government acknowledged their right to safety, dignity, and a life free from persecution. This step is seen as a humanitarian gesture, providing a new beginning for those who have been forced to flee their homes due to religious persecution.
However, this is not the complete solution to the plight of minorities. The partition of Bharat and the subsequent creation of Pakistan raises profound questions about the fate of minorities who were assured of equal treatment and protection of their religious rights. The assurance made by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan, that minorities would be treated with dignity and respect, were starkly contradicted by the reality that unfolded. Pakistan’s transformation into an Islamic state was marked by widespread persecution of minorities, forcing many to flee to Bharat.
A more pressing issue that demands attention is Pakistan’s accountability for the seizure of lands belonging to the people who migrated to Bharat. The massive influx of refugees has put immense pressure on Bharat’s resources, exacerbating population density and straining its limited land and territorial area. Given this reality, shouldn’t Pakistan be held accountable for the land it seized and make necessary arrangements for giving proportional area of those lands to Bharat? The Indian government should raise this issue on appropriate international platforms, seeking a fair and just solution for the displaced population.
As the current tension between Bharat and Pakistan reached the boiling point, following the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025 and subsequent military operation namely “Operation Sindoor”, with the Indus Water Treaty under intense scrutiny, coupled with the growing momentum to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), it is the high time that Bharat leverages this crucial moment to raise the issue of historical injustices and plight of displaced population at the global level. This presents a unique opportunity for Bharat to assert its claim, seek international support, and address the longstanding disputes that have plagued the region. By doing so, Bharat can push for a comprehensive resolution, promoting regional stability and justice for the displaced population.
Considering the limited territorial area and resources, it is imperative for Bharat to claim these lands from Pakistan. By doing so, Bharat can not only rectify historical injustices but also address the pressing needs of its citizens. The time has come for Bharat to assert its legitimate rights and interests, ensuring a more equitable and just future for its people. With the global spotlight on the region, Bharat must seize this opportunity to make its claim and shape a better tomorrow for generations to come.
