Paries unite in condemning:- 18.5.12 - The Pioneer

Rajya Sabha members, cutting across party lines, on Thursday criticised Pakistan

for the exploitation and forcible conversion of Hindu and Sikh women and urged the Indian Government to take up the issue with the neighbouring country.Raising the issue through a short duration discussion on

‘Normalisation of relations with Pakistan and relating to human rights violations of minorities in Pakistan’, BJP

leader Balbir Punj said that population of minorities in the neighbouring country has drastically come down since partition and as many as 1.60crore Hindus and Sikhs have gone missing due to forcible conversion.

Punj demanded that granting Indian visas to Hindus and Sikhs from Pakistan should be

fast tracked as many of the mare waiting for years to immerse ashes of their ancestor sin India or to come here for pilgrimage. He also said that Hindus coming as refugees from Pakistan should be granted citizenship easily. Also, the Government should raise the issue of destructions of temples and statues of Hindu Gods, Jain Tirthankars and Buddha in Pakistan.Echoing similar sentiments,Congress member

Husain Dalwai said that Hindus in Pakistan must be felt as secure as Muslims like him

are in this country. He asked the Government to raise the exploitation of minorities in Pakistan at international

forum.Naresh Agarwal of the

Samajwadi Party said that the UPA Government is not strong as it was not taking up the issue

of atrocities on Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan while spending crores on Mumbai carnage convict Kasab. Questioningabsence of BSP members during the debate, he said they were indulging in vote bank

politics. Avinash Rai Khanna of BJP suggested sending a delegation to Pakistan to see the

condition of Hindus in that country while MS Gill of the Congress wanted that the issue of human rights of minorities in Pakistan be taken up very strongly. Responding to members’ sentiments, External Affairs

Minister SM Krishna said that India has taken up with Pakistan the issue of persecution of Hindus there and asked them to discharge the constitutional obligation of protecting minority community. He hoped that they will “see the path of reason” and protect the constitutional rights of minorities. He also assured to raise

this issue with the Pakistan leadership when he travels there in future. Krishna said, “Some forces, which are hostile are going scot-free to carry hatred towards India. We have conveyed to Pakistan. This will not

help in bettering relations.” It is imperative for Pakistan to fulfill its solemn commitment of not allowing forces and terrorists against India.” On visa issue, the Minister said a revised visa agreement is to be signed during the  Home Secretary-level talks later this month. The agreement