Over 150 Pakistani Hindus facing danger f deportation following the expiry of their pilgrimage visa to India have found an interim relief from the elhi High Court which directed the Center to not deport them till it decides the matter. Taking note of a IL seeking grant of asylum or In d i an c i t i z e n s h ip t o t h e Pakistan nationals, the court also ought the response from the Center by February 29. “Let notices be issued to the Union Home Ministry nd the Ministry of External Affairs for response by February 29,” said a bench of acting Chief Justice AK i nd R aj iv S ahai Endlaw. The petition was filed b y A k h i l B h a r a t H i n d u Mahasabha on ednesday. The Pakistani Hindus had entered India on September 7 this year in two batches on valid visas or pilgrimage but refused to return to Pakistan citing t h re at to t h e i r l ive s . One Pakistani ational also died during the period of their stay in India. The petitioner, Rakesh Ranjan, sought the grant f asylum or Indian citizenship to the 151 Pakistani nationals on the ground of humanity and considering he threat to their lives on their return to Pakistan or deportation to a third country. “These Hindu amilies were left in the territory of Pakistan during the partition and since then they have been living in Pakistan as the most depressed and distress lass. Among these 151 Pakistani nationals, teen- -agers are in majority. Ironically, the parents, as well as children, cannot even read or write. The Constitution of Pakistan is based on religious preferences and the Hindus have remained denied of any civil, political or fundamental rights,” the petitioner said. Senior advocate Bhim Singh, appearing for Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, said these Pakistani nationals are acing the imminent danger of being deported back to Pakistan and, moreover, the Indian Government as not considering their representation for grant of either citizenship or asylum here despite the fact hat they do not want to go back to Pakistan. “The Pakistani Hindu nationals have also moved the petition to the President of India, the Prime Minister and National Human Rights Commission seeking saylum/citizenship for the reasons that their lives would be in grave threat if they return to Pakistan. India is a signatory to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the present situation demands urgent attention of the Government of India to provide due protection to the persons of minority community from Pakistan,” Singh submitted. The court, after taking note of the plea, directed the Government that the Pakistan nationals must not be deported back till it decides the petitions. The petitioner also contended, “Forcible deportation is not only against the centuries old cultural heritage of India but also against Article 21 of the Constitution of India which guarantees fundamental right to life and liberty to every person residing within the boundaries of India.”
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