4th batch of evacuated Afghan Hindus, Sikhs reaches India

A group of around 182 Afghanistan Hindu and Sikhs reached India on Thursday. Over 200 Hindus and Sikhs have reached India so for in four batches. The government of India has facilitated their arrival to India seeking permanent residency and eventually citizenship.

New Delhi:The fourth batch of 182 members of minuscule Hindu and Sikh communities from Afghanistan, who have been facing persecution at the hands of Pakistan-backed Taliban, landed in New Delhi in a special flight facilitated by the Government of India on Thursday.

Eight 'swaroops' of Sri Guru Granth Sahib have been brought by Sikhs with them from Afghanistan. Over 200 Hindus and Sikhs have reached India so far in four batches.

The group has been granted long-term visas by the Indian Embassy in Kabul.

As per the latest Covid-19 protocols of the government of India, these Afghan citizens will be quarantined. The arrangements for stay and resettlement is done by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

Chaman Singh, one of Aghan Sikh while interacting with media said, "Over 20 Sikhs were killed in March when Gurdwara was attacked in Kabul. A few years back 14 Sikhs were killed in Jalalabad blast. We cannot live there anymore. It is not safe for us. We request India to help us and our children for good education and future."

National spokesperson of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Manjinder Singh Sirsa said," DSGMC is thankful to the Govt of India for helping and arranging visas. Today around 180 Hindus and Sikhs have reached India. This fourth batch has brought 'Swaroop' of Sri Guru Granth Sahib which we have taken to Gurdwara Sahib."

It was in July that Union govt had started facilitating Afghan Hindus and Sikhs visa and now, as per the latest reports, their requests for Indian citizenship will also be considered.

The announcement for facilitating Afghan minorities was made after the release of Nidhan Singh, a Sehajdhari Sikhwho was abducted and later released in Patkia of Afghanistan.

The repatriation process was immediately initiated by the Indian Government after perturbing reports of rampant security threats, human rights violations, and decimated on the minority communities surfaced.

The first batch of 11 Afghan Sikhs reached New Delhi on July 26 and the second batch with 48 Hindus and Sikhs reached on August 14. The third batch had 128 Hindus and Sikhs who reached India on August 21.

Among the repatriates, included 60-year-old Delhi-based Sikh Nidan Singh Sachdeva and 16-year-old Sunmeet Kaur were kidnapped by terrorists there and were later rescued by the Afghan security agencies.

The other members included families of Afghan Sikhs who were killed in Kabul Gurudwara terror attack. Months after the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) came into force, the Indian Sikhs welcomed the first batch.

Many Hindu and Sikhs of Afghan nationality are in touch with the Embassy of India in Kabul and are seeking their return to India.

India is facilitating the entire process of returning of Afghan Hindu and Sikh community members facing security threats in Afghanistan and extended a helping hand despite the ongoing pandemic.

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