Victims of History: The Untold Story of Pakistani Hindu Refugees in India

A Report Published by the Hindu American Foundation Samir Kalra, Esq. Director/Senior Fellow for Human Rights

March 31, 2013

HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATIONHAF due to its close proximity to the Indo- more than thirty individual and group Introduction Pakistani border. interviews2, medical assessments, and discussions with SLS volunteers and The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) is Specifically, from January 14 to January 19, camp leaders. While the focus is on a 501(c)(3) advocacy and human rights 2013, HAF’s Director/Senior Human Rights the migrants in Jodhpur specifically, it organization for the Hindu American Fellow, Samir Kalra, Esq., accompanied by illustrates larger trends reflective of the community. The Foundation educates a team of Hindu American doctors, toured status of Pakistani Hindus in western the public about Hinduism, speaks out three Pakistani Hindu refugee settlements Rajasthan and India in general. about issues affecting Hindus worldwide, in Jodhpur. The visit was hosted by Hindu At the outset, it is important to note that Pakistani Hindus, with the exception HAF visited the city of Jodhpur in India’s of those arriving during the 1971 Indo- northwestern state of Rajasthan, where a number Pakistan War, have not been formally recognized as “refugees” by the Indian of Pakistani Hindus have settled due to its close government or the United Nations proximity to the Indo-Pakistani border. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).3 Despite the absence of this official recognition, however, they meet and builds bridges with institutions and Singh Sodha, Chairman of Seemant the criteria for refugee status under individuals whose work aligns with HAF’s Lok Sangathan (SLS), the primary international law due to their well-founded objectives. HAF focuses on human and community-based organization assisting fear of persecution and Pakistan’s failure civil rights, public policy, media, academia, Pakistani Hindu refugees in Jodhpur and to protect them.4 Consequently, they and interfaith relations. Through its western Rajasthan. will be referred to as “refugees” for the advocacy efforts, HAF seeks to cultivate purposes of this report. leaders and empower future generations HAF’s medical team comprised of of Hindu Americans. Dr. Arvind Chandrakantan (Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology Since its inception, HAF has made human rights one of its main areas of focus, publishing an annual human rights report Pakistani Hindus have not been formally recognized surveying religious persecution against Hindus in countries where they are as “refugees” by the Indian government or UNHCR… minorities. Similarly, the Foundation has actively engaged in international religious at Stony Brook University Medical Ctr in freedom fora, published policy briefs, New York), Dr. Aseem Shukla (Director and hosted human rights briefings on of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Division History/ Capitol Hill to highlight the plight of Hindu of Pediatric Urology, Children’s Hospital Background minorities worldwide. of Philadelphia), Dr. Umesh Gidwani The modern Pakistani state was created by The small Hindu minority in the Islamic (Assistant Professor of Medicine in Cardiology and Pulmonary, Critical Care partitioning the Indian subcontinent in 1947, Republic of Pakistan, in particular, following the British withdrawal from India. has encountered systematic violence, and Sleep Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York), and India-based Partition and the accompanying violence rampant discrimination, and widespread forced millions of Hindus to flee Pakistan restrictions on religious freedom in recent physician, Dr. Dhiren Srivastava (Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric for the safety of India, leading to a drastic years, leading more than 100,000 Hindus decline in the country’s Hindu population. to seek refuge in India. Surgery at Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh), conducted The adoption of discriminatory Islamic With human rights organizations and medical camps at each settlement, laws and constitutional injunctions, the media outlets widely reporting on this serving more than 400 patients. rapid growth of Islamic extremism, and growing phenomenon, the Foundation This report examines the human rights, legal, pervasive religious intolerance have all sought to conduct its own independent resulted in a further reduction in the 1 socioeconomic, and medical conditions fact-finding mission , in order to number of Hindu citizens.5 For instance, explore the on-the-ground realities and facing the Pakistani Hindu population living in Jodhpur and provides recommendations at the time of Partition in 1947, the Hindu circumstances confronting this displaced community in Pakistan was approximately population. Consequently, earlier this year, for their rehabilitation. The report’s findings and conclusions represent data collected 25% of the total populace, but today HAF visited the city of Jodhpur in India’s comprises just under 2%.6 northwestern state of Rajasthan, where a over a six day period and are based on number of Pakistani Hindus have settled first-hand observations and documentation,

2 Victims of History: The Untold Story of Pakistani Hindu Refugees in India The upsurge in kidnappings and forced conversions of Hindu girls, in particular, has created an atmosphere of terror and insecurity amongst Pakistan’s Hindu community, compelling many to leave for India.

Although there has been a steady flow of Hindus crossing the border into India in the post-partition period, there have been three primary phases of migration, in addition to the latest which began in 2009: (1) 1965, (2) 1971, and (3) the post- 1992 era. In 1965, for example, 8,000 Pakistani Hindus migrated to the state of Rajasthan alone, while approximately Furthermore, a fourth period of migration of New Delhi also host sizeable Pakistani 90,000 arrived in 1971, and nearly 20,000 appears to have emerged around 2009, Hindu populations. in the post-1992 period.7 when more than 6,000 Pakistani Hindus Of the three settlements HAF visited in sought sanctuary in India.10 Since then, The large scale migrations in 1965 and Jodhpur, the majority of refugees originated approximately 1,000 Pakistani Hindus 1971 were largely due to wartime tensions from Pakistan’s Sindh province, or the have settled in Rajasthan annually, between India and Pakistan. During districts of Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur notwithstanding migration to other both wars, Hindus in Pakistan were in southern Punjab province.14 At the Indian states. And this number is likely characterized as supporters of India and Chopasni refugee camp, for example, to continue unabated, if not significantly effectively designated as “enemies of the there were 204 refugees who migrated increase, according to Hindu Singh Sodha state.” Accordingly, they were implicitly from Sindh in September 2012.15 and other SLS volunteers.11 targeted under a series of administrative The refugees at the Kali Beri and Banar regulations imposed by Pakistan’s The upsurge in kidnappings and forced Road settlements, on the other hand, were military government.8 This conflation of conversions of Hindu girls, in particular, predominantly from Rahim Yar Khan and Hindus with India was not limited to the has created an atmosphere of terror and Bahawalpur districts. Kali Beri housed government establishment, and extended insecurity amongst Pakistan’s Hindu approximately 100 to 115 families (each to religious leaders, extremist groups, community, compelling many to leave for with an average of seven to eight members), and popular opinion as well. As a result, India. Countless more attempt to make that arrived in India at various times since Hindus became convenient targets for the journey, but are unable to for a variety 1971. And at Banar Road, there were 331 discrimination and violence, and fled of reasons. refugees who migrated to India between Pakistan en mass. In India, Rajasthan has seen the largest fifteen and twenty-two years ago.16 The Similarly, a dispute between Hindus and influx of Hindu refugees and there are now residents at the Banar Road settlement Muslims in 1992 over an abandoned at least 400 refugee settlements scattered initially settled in Sirsa, Haryana before mosque in India, known as Babri Masjid, throughout the western parts of the state. relocating to Jodhpur in December 2012. led to widespread violence against Hindus Amongst cities in Rajasthan, Jodhpur has throughout the subcontinent. This was the highest concentration of Pakistani particularly true in Pakistan, where Hindus Hindus, followed by Jaisalmer, Bikaner, There are now at least were subjected to violent attacks by Muslim Ganganagar, and Jaipur.12 Moreover, SLS 400 refugee settlements mobs and several temples were destroyed. volunteers contend that Pakistani Hindus Accordingly, there was a substantial exodus can be found in almost every district of scattered throughout of Hindus from the country in the aftermath Rajasthan. Other areas of India, such as the western parts of of the events of 1992.9 Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and the capital Rajasthan.

Hindu American Foundation | www.hafsite.org 3 Moreover, the residents at all three he worked with had personally endured regardless of their ‘zaat’ (caste). In the camps were primarily from the Bhil and a great deal of suffering in Pakistan. He end I decided that I am going to India and Meghwar tribal communities, two tribes contended that there was “no peace for leaving this country. Nothing else is going that have historically lived on both sides Hindus in Pakistan” and if someone saw to happen here...I felt as if when I left of the Indo-Pakistan border. Prior to the amount of injustice they faced, “it Pakistan I got a new life.” 22 Partition, these tribes frequently travelled would bring tears to their eyes.” 18 And Kundan Devi, who fled Pakistan between western Rajasthan and southern As one refugee at the Chopasni camp more than fifteen years ago, explained Punjab and Sindh, in search of cultivated succinctly summarized, “Muslims and that Hindus faced significant difficulties agricultural land.17 their rule held sway in Pakistan.” 19 and were routinely harassed by Muslims Regardless of tribal affinity or provincial in her native village in Punjab province. This sentiment was echoed by the vast origin, the Pakistani Hindus we The day after her niece was abducted, majority of refugees we spoke with. For encountered in Jodhpur presented similar Kundan Devi and her family decided to instance, Jogdha, an elderly man at the migrate to India. Kundan Devi’s niece was never heard from again and here “We feel so bad and demoralized. We never got whereabouts at the time of this interview were still unknown.23 justice. How much unhappiness can I share with While reports of persecution were you?... In the end I decided that I am going to India generally higher amongst more recent and leaving this country. Nothing else is going to refugees, the stories of oppression and religious subjugation we documented at happen here...I felt as if when I left Pakistan I got the three settlements transcended age, a new life.” gender, region, and date of migration. As a result, the subsequent subsections present an overview of the specific nature Kali Beri settlement who migrated from of discrimination faced by the Pakistani narratives of persecution and religious Rahim Yar Khan in 2001, noted that Hindu Hindu migrants we encountered. intolerance in Pakistan. The following farmers faced extensive struggles, while therefore attempts to provide an accurate young girls were routinely kidnapped and assessment of the situation for Hindus in Abductions/Forced forcibly converted to Islam. He added that Pakistan by highlighting select interviews Conversions Hindu children were discriminated against from a cross-section of refugees. The abduction, forced conversion and by their Muslim teachers and forced to marriage of young Hindu girls was a read the Koran in schools.20 particularly common topic of discussion Similarly, Chammi, a female refugee from and several refugees shared personal Refugee Accounts Sindh, stated that she would never return stories of such incidents. to Pakistan: “We wish that our children of Persecution in One unidentified resident at the Kali can go to school and we receive ‘sukh’ Beri settlement, for example, stated that Pakistan and ‘shanti’ [bliss and peace]. We will not Maulvis, or Islamic religious leaders, in go back.” 21 In speaking with refugees from all Rahim Yar Khan aggressively tried to three camps, several common themes Chetan Ram, another refugee who left convert Hindus to Islam. The Maulvis emerged regarding the status and Sindh in September 2012, declared: “We reportedly told Hindus that “if they didn’t treatment of Hindus in Pakistan. feel so bad and demoralized. We never become Muslims, they should leave Specifically, there were consistent got justice. How much unhappiness can I for their own country, India” and that accounts of temple destruction, share with you? Hindus from all sections there was no place for them in Pakistan, restrictions on religious freedom, social including Meghawar, Bhil, Bhaagri have implying that Hindus were not accepted prejudice, and economic exploitation and complaints and challenges to discuss as Pakistani citizens.24 abuse by feudal landlords. Furthermore, many refugees discussed the prevalence of discrimination against their children in schools, and the frequent abduction His wife had been forcibly kidnapped, converted and forced conversion of both Hindu girls to Islam and married to another Muslim man… (under the age of 16, which is the legal His two children, including a six month old age of marriage) and adult women. daughter, were also taken, although they were According to Kishanbhai, a former refugee and SLS volunteer, the refugees eventually returned to him.

4 Victims of History: The Untold Story of Pakistani Hindu Refugees in India He then revealed that his wife had been maid was forcibly abducted in Badin community approached local “jagirdars” forcibly kidnapped, converted to Islam district, it was publicly announced or feudal Muslim landowners for and married to another Muslim man.25 that she would be converted to Islam assistance, but were instead threatened The lack of a legal mechanism to and forced to work as an agricultural for raising the issue. Jagirdars wield officially register Hindu marriages bonded laborer and “would not be considerable power and influence in Pakistan has left married Hindu paid even one rupee.” 29 in rural Pakistan, and are viewed as women, such as his wife, vulnerable to power brokers, whose authority often „„ A female refugee at Kali Beri, Jamna, abductions and forced marriages.26 He supersedes that of local government explained that there were many also reported that he had been threatened officials and police.31 incidents of Hindu girls being kidnapped by his wife’s abductors, while the police in Rahim Yar Khan, but Hindu parents These refugee accounts were consistent refused to help claiming that she had were poor and helpless, and unable with the findings of several human rights willingly converted and agreed to the to do anything. Beautiful Hindu girls in groups, such as the Asian Human Rights marriage. His two children, including a particular were targeted, harassed, and Commission (AHRC), who contend that six month old daughter, were also taken, then abducted, according to Jamna. 20-25 Hindu girls are kidnapped and although they were eventually returned to The abductors would then threaten the forcibly converted to Islam every month him. Consequently, he migrated to India girls and their families.30 in Pakistan.32 only with his two children, while his wife remained in the captivity of her abductors. „„ Govardhan, a refugee who migrated This dangerous trend received This particular considerable refugee further media attention explained that there “The victim, abducted by a young man related to last year with the were many other high profile and Hindu girls and or working for a feudal boss, is taken to a mosque politically charged women who had where clerics, along with the prospective groom’s case of Rinkel been abducted, Kumari. Rinkel forcibly converted, family, threaten to harm her and her relatives if Kumari, along with and married against she resists. Almost always, the girl complies, and two other Hindu their will in his girls, Asha Devi and neighborhood.27 not long afterward, she is brought to a local court, Lata Kumari, were where a judge, usually a Muslim, rubber-stamps the abducted, forcibly Other refugees converted to recounted similar conversion and marriage...Often the young Muslim Islam, and married stories, including man is accompanied by backers armed with rifles. against their will the following: Few members of the girl’s family are allowed to with the reported „„ Amar Lal assistance of Mian migrated to India appear, and the victim, seeing no way out, signs Mitthoo, Member of in April 2009 papers affirming her conversion and marriage.” Pakistan’s National from Bahawalpur Assembly from after his Sindh province. unmarried sister-in-law was kidnapped from Sindh in 2001, mentioned that Mitthoo was accused by the Human and the family never saw or heard from Hindu girls were unable to leave their Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) her again. He also noted that he knew homes safely without the fear of being of being in the “business of not only of four to five additional Hindu girls that kidnapped, and he detailed many cases converting and encouraging forceful had been kidnapped in Bahawalpur.28 that he was personally familiar with. As marriages, but also selling Hindu girls.”33 Govardhan described, after a girl was „„ Chetan Ram recounted two specific Ultimately, neither the girls nor their abducted, she was not allowed to speak examples from Sindh province: (1) A families received justice in a case that to or see her family members and was Hindu girl was kidnapped by the son of reached the Supreme Court. In most threatened if she attempted to contact a influential political leader on a major instances, such incidents are rarely her family. Moreover, government and highway in the town of Tando Adam. adjudicated by the courts or investigated law enforcement officials consistently When the girl’s family and community by law enforcement officials. failed to render assistance to Hindus members approached the political in these cases, and in most instances, Furthermore, a recent L.A. Times article leader for help, he told them “to get Hindus were fearful to even register depicted the process as follows: “The lost” and threatened to have them complaints with the police. During a few victim, abducted by a young man related arrested, and (2) After a Hindu house incidents, Hindus from Govardhan’s to or working for a feudal boss, is taken

Hindu American Foundation | www.hafsite.org 5 districts of Punjab province, according Hindu agricultural laborers encountered significant to the refugees we interviewed. Parcha prejudice and inequality, with jagirdars (feudal Ram, for instance, noted that there was an inequitable distribution of government landlords) in Bahawalpur often withholding their aid in Pakistan, and poor Hindus failed wages or refusing to pay them at all. to receive assistance. He specified that: “You have no right to claim any amount of aid. Muslims will receive whatever aid is to a mosque where clerics, along with the known as the ghaghra choli.37 available. What can we do? We cannot prospective groom’s family, threaten to And according to Parcha Ram, another force them to help us.”43 harm her and her relatives if she resists. farmer from Sindh: “There is a lot of Almost always, the girl complies, and not Furthermore, a number of migrants at the deceitfulness there. I am a farmer. When long afterward, she is brought to a local Kali Beri settlement explained that Hindus I harvest my crops and sell them to court, where a judge, usually a Muslim, also experienced extensive discrimination the local distributors, I am given the rubber-stamps the conversion and in obtaining employment and were runaround for payment. I am told that I marriage...Often the young Muslim man routinely denied job opportunities, will receive payment after a few days. And is accompanied by backers armed with regardless of their level of education or that, too, after delivering a large amount rifles. Few members of the girl’s family are qualifications. In particular, Hindus were of vegetables. When that time comes allowed to appear, and the victim, seeing systematically excluded from government the matter is forgotten. We ask for our no way out, signs papers affirming her positions and were reportedly told by money to be given to us stating that we conversion and marriage.” 34 Muslim civil servants that “if they gave have young children. We are told by these Hindus government jobs, Hindus would people [the distributors] that we will be make another Hindustan there.”44 Economic Exploitation/ given the money.”38 He then indicated that Bonded Labor they were never paid by the distributors.38 As documented by the Asian Centre for Since many of the migrants we Human Rights (ACHR), non-Muslims are Some of their narratives were consistent interviewed were landless farmers in in fact severely underrepresented in civil with features of the bonded labor Pakistan, they frequently described service jobs in Pakistan, where Hindus system, which systematically enslaves an oppressive working conditions and make up only .21% of all federal civil estimated 1.7 million people in Pakistan, exploitative Muslim landlords. service positions.45 the majority of whom are Hindus.40 The As an unidentified refugee at the Kali Beri U.S. Department of Labor maintains that Moreover, higher socioeconomic status settlement noted, most Hindus in Pakistan the debt bondage system in Pakistan did not prevent Hindus from being were landless laborers and were at the operates by “giving advances of peshgi” subjected to prejudice and unequal mercy of powerful Muslim landowners. (bonded money) to a person. As long treatment. According to one unnamed Consequently, they were voiceless and as all or part of the peshgi debt remains refugee at Chopasni, Hindu owned lands subject to constant mistreatment and outstanding, the debtor/worker is and properties were frequently illegally abuse.35 Amar Lal added that Hindu bound to the creditor/employer. In case occupied by powerful Muslims using agricultural laborers encountered of sickness or death, the family of the force or coercion. Hindu businessmen significant prejudice and inequality, with individual is responsible for the debt, faced significant challenges as well, and jagirdars (feudal landlords) in Bahawalpur which often passes down from generation were often forced to obtain support or often withholding their wages or refusing to generation. In the case of children, the protection from influential Muslims to to pay them at all. According to Lal, this peshgi is paid to a parent or guardian, conduct their business. 46 led large numbers of poor Hindu laborers who then provides the child to work off Additionally, those Hindus that were to migrate to India over the years.36 the debt.”41 financially successful were frequently This was reiterated by Govardhan, whose According to media reports, many attacked and robbed. As Kashi Ram father and older brother worked in the vulnerable Hindu bonded laborers have recalled, security was a serious concern fields in Sindh and were exploited by also been induced into converting to Islam for the Hindu community in Rahim Yar local jagirdars. He stated that Hindu by mosques and Islamic organizations in Khan, and law enforcement was virtually farmers were not fully compensated for return for paying off their debts.42 non-existent or ineffective. Consequently, their work and that many children were Hindus were unable to move around freely prevented from attending school by 47 Social Prejudice/ or safely without fear of being targeted. their landlords, because they used the Institutional Discrimination Kashi Ram’s depiction was reiterated children as labor in the fields. In addition, Social prejudice, harassment, and by Jogdha, who also noted that Hindu female Hindu laborers were forced to discrimination were prominent aspects of families with money were especially dress like Muslim women and prohibited life for Hindus in Sindh and the southern vulnerable and never received protection from wearing their traditional dress,

6 Victims of History: The Untold Story of Pakistani Hindu Refugees in India Jogdha recounted that local Muslims broke into a number of Hindu homes and destroyed shrines and personal altars. He also noted that Hindus in his neighborhood were publicly attacked in the street by Muslim mobs… Hindus were attacked and “told to become Muslims or be ready to die.” or assistance from the police. In one The refugees at the Kali Beri and Banar example he narrated, a Hindu woman’s Road settlements also reported pervasive Similarly, a number of refugees at the Kali entire hand was chopped off by her prejudice in schools in the southern Beri settlement maintained that Hindus assailants in order to remove a gold districts of Punjab province. For instance, were in fact trying to leave Pakistan in bracelet she was wearing. Similarly, in Jamna explained that since studying Islam order to preserve their religion. As one another incident he relayed, a Hindu and the Koran were compulsory, many migrant noted, “Hindus haven’t accepted woman wearing “jhumkas” (decorative Hindu children in Rahim Yar Khan did not Islam there, they have been forced to dangling earrings) had half her ear ripped attend school or dropped out altogether.51 become Muslim by kidnapping young girls off by her Muslim attackers.48 Moreover, Neema Devi and another or children. Those that have been forcibly female refugee at Banar Road noted that converted become Muslim with great Education was another major issue they migrated to India in part due to the sadness.”55 discussed by the refugees at the Islamic education and discrimination their Chopasni camp, who indicated that Amar Lal told a similar story and children faced in Pakistani schools.52 specifically mentioned that local Muslim A recently released report by the U.S. religious leaders caused significant Hindus were not only Commission on International Religious problems for Hindus, while government Freedom (USCIRF) substantiated much of officials failed to intervene or protect restricted from openly what these refugees articulated regarding their rights.56 Kashi Ram added that practicing their religion the systematic intolerance and hatred for Hindus were not only restricted from in his neighborhood, non-Muslims entrenched in Pakistan’s openly practicing their religion in his education system.53 neighborhood, but were also attacked but were also attacked for publicly celebrating their festivals, 57 for publicly celebrating Restrictions on especially during the Muslim prayer time. their festivals. Religious Freedom Refugees at the Banar Road settlement Refugees from both southern Punjab reiterated the accounts at Chopasni and and Sindh province described facing Kali Beri regarding the inability to freely widespread restrictions on their religious practice their religion in Pakistan. For the curriculum used in schools in Sindh freedom while living in Pakistan. At the example, one refugee stated that he province was religiously oriented, especially Chopasni camp, for instance, refugees left Rahim Yar Khan twenty two years after the fifth grade.49 In addition, Chetan expressed happiness to be free from ago because the “Hindu religion was Ram stated that Hindu children faced religious persecution and openly practicing being destroyed there,” and that there significant discrimination and harassment their faith in India. Moreover, several camp were many challenges for the survival of in schools from their teachers and Muslim leaders indicated that they enjoyed their Hinduism in Pakistan.58 students, and were bullied and subjected best Diwali (major Hindu religious festival) to physical violence.50 to date last November, despite residing in squalid conditions in the camps.54

Hindu American Foundation | www.hafsite.org 7 Funeral Rites and Temple Babri Masjid incident, large numbers Many of the refugees Destruction of temples were destroyed in Pakistan There were two additional issues that leading many Hindus to leave for India.60 were living in extremely were repeatedly raised by residents of all In addition, at Kali Beri, Kashi Ram poor conditions without three camps: (1) the pervasive destruction explained that a temple administered by of Hindu temples, and (2) interference with even enough food to eat, his uncle was demolished, while many Hindu funeral rites. others in the area were either attacked, “similar to beggars on Attacks on temples, in particular, were vandalized, or burned down.61 Moreover, the street.” reported by refugees who left Pakistan at Jogdha recounted that local Muslims various times, demonstrating the long- broke into a number of Hindu homes that a large number of temples were in standing nature of the problem. and destroyed shrines and personal fact destroyed during that period. altars. He also noted that Hindus in his Chetan Ram, who worked as a social Beyond the targeting of temples, cremation neighborhood were publicly attacked in worker for sixteen years in Hyderabad was a major issue consistently mentioned. the street by Muslim mobs, forcing many district, detailed the recent destruction Cremation is an essential funeral rite to seek safety in rural villages.62 of at least four temples he was familiar for Hindus and integral to the practice with in Sindh province. These included Kishanbhai added that many temples of their religious tradition. Many of the Ramdev Mandir (temple) in Ali Yaari, were destroyed in his native town in refugees at Chopasni, for instance, noted Rama Pir Mandir in Tando Allah Yar, Bhole Punjab in 1992 and that Hindus were the difficulties Hindus faced in cremating Nath Mandir in Umerkot, and Mataji attacked and “told to become Muslims their dead in Sindh province. Specifically, Mandir in Shadadpur. He also noted that or be ready to die.” This led many of Chetan Ram stated that Hindus were often Hindus were often prevented from building his extended family members that still unable to cremate their dead due to the temples and shared a personal example lived in Pakistan to apply for a visa and unavailability of cremation grounds.65 of an incident involving his community. migrate to India.63 Many crematoriums, along with Specifically, after purchasing a plot of land Kishan Bhai claimed that 1,000 temples temples, came under the control of the in order to build a temple in Khandu, Sindh, were attacked and damaged across Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), a the local jagirdar prohibited them from Pakistan in the aftermath of the Babri governmental body, at the time of the building a temple on the land and refused Masji incident.64 While it is unclear partition of the subcontinent in 1947. to return their money.59 whether this number is accurate and Since then, Hindu community leaders At the same time, refugees at Banar Road it is difficult to ascertain the exact and human rights groups in Pakistan and Kali Beri detailed the demolition of number of temples attacked, there allege that cremations grounds have Hindu religious sites in southern Punjab have been numerous reports from been routinely sold by the ETPB without as far back as 1992. Refugees at Banar Hindu community groups, human rights consulting Hindus.66 Road explicitly mentioned that after the organizations, and the media indicating Consequently, Chetan Ram explained that Hindus were often forced to bury deceased family members in Muslim cemeteries. Since Hindus were considered “kafirs” (infidels) by their Muslim neighbors, they even faced obstacles and harassment in burying their dead. For example, in one town in Sindh, he explained that Hindus were required to pay a bribe of 2,000 rupees to bury their dead or were prohibited from using the cemetery. And in another incident he relayed, a nine year old Hindu girl’s dead body was exhumed by local Muslims stating that a “kafir” girl was polluting their cemetery. Expressing dismay, Chetan Ram remarked that, “there are so many difficulties that occur ahead of death that it makes life itself so difficult.”67

Similar to Chetan Ram’s accounts in Sindh, there have also been several

8 Victims of History: The Untold Story of Pakistani Hindu Refugees in India recent media reports of Hindus in the Kishan Bhai explained that without “Please help us. These northwestern Pakistani city of Dera citizenship or Below Poverty Line (BPL) Ismail Khan being forced to bury cards, the refugees were ineligible for are small children and deceased relatives due to the inability to government benefits and state housing we are poor people...I cremate them.68 programs. At the same time, he noted that even those refugees that had am not even able to cook received citizenship were still unable for my children. What access many of the benefits that other Current Indian citizens enjoy.73 am I going to give my

Socioeconomic And finally, the lack of consistent children if I can’t feed Conditions employment was a common theme them? They will die of amongst the refugees at all three camps. The Sphere Project, a collaborative hunger...It is a matter international initiative aimed at improving Despite the similarities between the of great unhappiness the quality of humanitarian assistance, settlements, there were also a number that I cannot care for my listed the following minimum priority of perceptible differences, especially interventions required during an between the relatively permanent Kali Beri children.” emergency refugee relief effort:69 settlement and the makeshift Chopasni camp. The following therefore provides limited instruction in English and Hindi from „„ Adequate food rations an overview of each camp, as well as the two Pakistani Hindu refugee teachers in the (both quality and quantity) general socioeconomic challenges faced camp, but did not have adequate space for (>2100 kcal/adult/day) by the residents. classes, or sufficient supplies and books.77 „„ Clean and sufficient water Beyond support from SLS, the refugees (>20 Liters/adult/day) Chopasni Refugee Camp have not received assistance from „„ Good sanitation The migrants at the Chopasni camp any other source, including the state (at least 1 latrine/20 persons) initially took refuge in a local temple government. The only exception was when they first arrived in Jodhpur when Rajasthan’s Chief Minister visited „„ Appropriate shelter, blankets, clothing last September. After two days, they the camp in September and distributed „„ Immediate immunization of vulnerable were forced out by local residents and blankets and sweets.78 groups against measles relocated to a private plot of land, where While the HAF team was there on January they set up their camp with the assistance These were largely absent at all three 16 and 17, heavy rains in Jodhpur caused of SLS.74 The land’s owner has permitted settlements we visited, in addition to a considerable damage at the camp and the refugees to live on a small portion of lack of other basic infrastructure.70 soaked through the residents’ belongings, the land, but it is unclear what will happen clothes, and the tarps they slept on. Furthermore, as Mr. Sodha explained, the to them when the land is developed.75 Similarly, with their supply of firewood refugees’ needs were significant and also Physically located off the roadside and saturated with water, they were unable to included, food, health care, employment adjacent to a gutter filled with garbage build a fire to cook with or keep warm. As opportunities, education, and legal status.71 and debris, the Chopasni camp consisted their food supply finished, they had nothing According to Kishan Bhai, a volunteer of little more than a makeshift tent like to eat and went hungry through the night in the camps, many of the refugees structure and comprised less than 2,000 of January 16 and most of the day on the were living in extremely poor conditions square feet in total living space for 204 17th. Towards the end of January 17, Mr. without even enough food to eat, “similar men, women, and children. The tent roof Sodha provided them with money in order to beggars on the street.” He added had large openings, while the ground to purchase food.79 that the government has not provided was only covered by a thin tarp material, Young children in particular suffered from the refugees with any assistance and providing the residents with insufficient the harsh weather conditions, including that the settlements lacked electricity, protection from the elements, particularly a newborn baby in the camp, and came clean water, proper roads, and proper cold weather and rain. It further lacked any down with infections. Some of the mothers accommodations. In particular, Kishan basic infrastructure, including a sanitation explained that they had stayed awake all Bhai noted that the dearth of housing or sewage system, toilets, access to clean night holding their children in their arms to left many refugees exposed to the cold drinking water, or electricity.76 keep them dry and warm.80 weather, resulting in frequent illnesses.72 Camp leaders and parents also indicated Specifically, one mother noted that they Similarly, access to education and basic that education was a significant problem for were unable to cook and feed their children, supplies was a major issue for the wider the children in the camp, who were unable who were “dying of hunger.”81 refugee population in western Rajasthan. to attend local schools. They did receive

Hindu American Foundation | www.hafsite.org 9 “I feel very sad that to protect our religion we came Sodha’s advocacy efforts, they would have most likely been forcibly removed here...but now we don’t belong there and don’t from the land where they were living and belong here either.” possibly even deported.91 Beyond infrastructure issues, employment She went on to state: “What can we generally accessible, but only due to the was a major concern for the refugees at do? There are so many young children proximity of a city water tank and pipeline the Kali Beri settlement. Prior to migrating here. We are saddened by coming from passing through the settlement. From the to India, most of the camp’s residents, Pakistan. They are such young children...I pipeline, the refugees were able to create both male and female, worked as “kethi have become ‘dar-badar’ [dismayed, a makeshift faucet in order to obtain baris” or agricultural laborers in Pakistan. In disillusioned, disappointed]...Please help water. Without direct access to water in Jodhpur, however, there was little cultivated us. These are small children and we are their individual huts, however, many of farmland, and the refugees were therefore poor people...I am not even able to cook the refugees had to travel a considerable unable to find consistent work. for my children. What am I going to give my distance, in some cases up to several Moreover, due to limitations on their children if I can’t feed them? They will die of kilometers, to acquire water since the visas, they were prohibited from traveling hunger...It is a matter of great unhappiness settlement was spread out over a number outside the city to pursue employment. 86 that I cannot care for my children. We feel of acres. Consequently, the male refugees were so, so much unhappiness about this...Our In regards to education, the government forced to perform manual labor lifting children are poor. When it rains our children built a small school in the settlement in heavy rocks, which was inconsistent at become sick.”82 2002 after considerable advocacy by SLS. best. The female refugees, on the other As a consequence of the weather, Although the school was rudimentary and hand, were unable to engage in such the camp’s residents were forced to only consisted of a few classrooms for physically demanding work, thereby temporarily relocate to an alternative students from the first through the fifth substantially reducing their family’s ability location for shelter until the rain subsided.83 grade, it was considerably better than to earn money.92 the level of education available in the Overall, the refugees at Chopasni According to SLS volunteers, Chopasni camp.87 expressed the desire to be self-sufficient approximately half of the residents in and merely live in peace. As Chetan Ram Children in the sixth grade and above Kali Beri were Indian citizens, although stated, “If we were given the opportunity attended the local government school and the majority of refugees we spoke with to work we would want to make our own were observed wearing school uniforms. only had provisional visas for Jodhpur. money so we can feed ourselves... These At the same time, according to a number Amongst the refugees we interviewed tents are not a place that is worthy of of parents we interviewed, the school without citizenship, acquiring some form of living...I am fortunate enough to be living was difficult to access from the camp permanent legal status that would afford in Bharat. There is peace here. I am and many children returned home without them access to government benefits happy. I can sleep at night.”84 receiving proper instruction.88 Other than and the freedom of movement to travel the school, the refugees in the settlement outside of Jodhpur, was the greatest issue of concern. In fact, they believed that Kali Beri Settlement maintained that they did not receive any assistance from the government with their obtaining citizenship would help alleviate Unlike the makeshift Chopasni camp, 93 basic needs. Amar Lal, who came with his many of their socioeconomic concerns. Kali Beri was a larger and relatively more family in 2009 from Bahawalpur, explained established settlement. Situated in the On the other hand, even those refugees that he did not have enough food to feed hills far from the main city center, Kali possessing citizenship, such as Jamna, his family or a proper home to live in, and Beri was on unused government land reported significant problems despite their had to walk two to three kilometers just to and difficult to access by car. Despite its legal status, including difficulty finding obtain water. He added that after coming size and permanent nature, however, it employment and the absence of basic to India, he was arrested for travelling 94 still lacked basic infrastructure, such as infrastructure in the settlement. outside of Jodhpur for a relative’s toilets, electricity, proper roads, sanitation, wedding and imprisoned in the Bikaner Overall, there was a general feeling and a sewage system. Moreover, many of Central Jail along with his elderly father for amongst the refugees of not being the homes were nothing more than huts two years.89 accepted by the local population and or brick dwellings with tent roofs. A few disparagingly being labeled as Pakistanis. homes did have brick roofs, providing Additionally, since the refugees were Kashi Ram described their predicament 85 marginally better protection. technically squatting on government land, as follows: “I feel very sad that to protect they were subject to being evicted by the The only two exceptions in terms of our religion we came here...but now we government at any time.90 Kashi Ram infrastructure, were a nearby water don’t belong there and don’t belong here believed that if it was not for Hindu Singh 95 supply and a small school. Water was either.” At the same time, Kashi Ram

10 Victims of History: The Untold Story of Pakistani Hindu Refugees in India Young Hindu children standing outside their hut in the Kali Beri settlement

Hindu American Foundation | www.hafsite.org 11 Jodhpur city water tank and pipeline running through the Kali Beri settlement

12 Victims of History: The Untold Story of Pakistani Hindu Refugees in India also stated that he was still happier in Many refugees we interviewed also instance, since the Chopasni settlement India and thankful that his parents brought described education as a substantial lacked the space to adequately treat him here when he was a child.96 concern and indicated that their children the refugees, a provisional clinic was were unable to attend local schools established at a nearby community Banar Road Settlement since they had only been in the city for hall. Moreover, a school was utilized for one month.102 the Banar Road medical camp due to As noted above, the 331 refugees at the inclement weather conditions. Banar Road settlement initially migrated The lack of citizenship or formal legal to the state of Haryana in the 1990s prior status was perceived to be at the root The medical team followed a similar to moving to Jodhpur in December 2012, of a number of these aforementioned process at each camp, enabling them in the hopes of obtaining citizenship.97 problems and was the primary motivation to efficiently attend to a large number The conditions at this settlement were for relocating from Haryana.103 Neema of refugees in a short period of time. marginally better than those at the Devi and Kundan Devi, for example, Specifically, patients were initially screened Chopasni camp in terms of size and associated their poverty and arduous by an SLS volunteer to determine their shelter, but otherwise lacked many of the conditions to their inability to acquire precise complaint or problem, then same necessities.98 citizenship or at least obtain ration subsequently directed to one of the cards.104 doctors. Once the physicians completed For instance, although the residents here their examination and diagnosis (with were not all confined to one same small In explaining their difficulties, one the assistance of the local doctors), they space, they lived in individual huts or unidentified refugee rhetorically asked, dispensed medical advice, prescribed dwellings that provided little protection “how do we raise and educate our children medications, and in some cases from the cold weather. In addition, there in these conditions...how do we work or recommended follow-up steps, such was no electricity, clean water, sanitation eat without citizenship?”105 as x-rays or surgical procedures at the local government hospital. In most cases, medications were also available on-site after receiving a prescription from one of According to Dr. Gidwani, the most common the doctors.108 problems observed across all three camps were According to Dr. Gidwani, the most psychosomatic in nature, or physical symptoms common problems observed across all originating from mental or psychological sources. three camps were psychosomatic in nature, or physical symptoms originating from mental or psychological sources. These musculoskeletal ailments primarily included or sewage systems, access to medical nonspecific complaints of dizziness, care and medicines, or enough food.99 Medical Findings weakness, aches, and generalized pain. Over a period of three days, HAF’s team And this pattern of psychosomatic and Several of the refugees we interviewed of doctors, with the assistance of SLS musculoskeletal disorders was present at Banar Road explained that the volunteers and locally based Pakistani amongst both the male and female government had not assisted them Hindu physicians, provided primary residents in the camps.109 with any essential provisions. Moreover, medical care and triaging for more than they stated that it was particularly Psychosomatic conditions are known to be 400 refugees.106 challenging during the winter season fairly normal amongst refugee populations, without adequate shelter or warm clothes. This group of fifteen doctors had migrated who have experienced severe trauma as Similarly, they lacked a sufficient food to India between four months and fifteen a consequence of being displaced from supply and were unable to purchase years ago. While they were fully licensed their homes due to violence or persecution. additional food.100 to practice medicine in Pakistan, they In addition, the ongoing mental and were unable to earn medical licenses in emotional stress of living in substandard One of the refugees, Nanak Ram, India without citizenship or formal refugee and uncertain circumstances exacerbates specifically noted that they were going status.107 Consequently, they played their prior trauma.110 hungry and had no way to acquire food a supporting, yet crucial, role to the without assistance from the government The medical team also noted a high Foundation’s medical team. or travelling outside the city for incidence of respiratory disease, employment, which they were prohibited In order to effectively serve the refugees, particularly amongst the adult male from doing. He added that medicines all medical services were delivered inhabitants at the Kali Beri settlement. were expensive and that there was no directly on-site at the camps or at nearby In Kali Beri, Dr. Gidwani specifically nearby access to water.101 locations easily accessible for them. For observed a variety of respiratory problems stemming from frequent exposure to

Hindu American Foundation | www.hafsite.org 13 by the Rajasthan state government in Without citizenship, Pakistani Hindus have been 2005.120 According to Hindu Singh Sodha, precluded from acquiring Below Poverty Line (BPL) however, there are still at least 7,000 cards, or ration cards available to Indian citizens Pakistani Hindus from the post-1992 period awaiting citizenship. And with for basic government benefits, including food, free more than 1,000 new refugees arriving health care, and school admission priority and in the state annually, this number is scholarships. constantly expanding.121 Furthermore, even when refugees have legally resided in India (with a visa for a stone dust and the habitual use of Legal Status particular city) for the obligatory seven “beedis” (Indian unfiltered cigarettes). The year period, the government is not stone dust resulted from quarry mines Legal status was by far the most compelled to grant them citizenship. In near the settlement, where many of the significant, yet complex, issue facing the some cases, eligible refugees have been refugees performed manual labor lifting refugees in Jodhpur. At the camps we waiting for citizenship for more than or mining large rocks. Without adequate visited, we came across a multiplicity of ten years. Additionally, some refugees protective equipment, a number of legal situations. For instance, while some that may otherwise be qualified for refugees exhibited signs of occupational of the refugees at the Kali Beri settlement citizenship are unable to apply due to 111 parenchymal lung disease. Other possessed Indian citizenship, most others prohibitively high fees.122 common issues included hypertension only had provisional visas to stay within Without citizenship, Pakistani Hindus or high blood pressure (HTN), diabetes the city limits.117 (DM), and metabolic syndrome,112 which have been precluded from acquiring is defined as a “cluster of conditions — Moreover, all the refugees at Banar Road Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards, or ration increased blood pressure, a high blood lacked Indian citizenship, despite living in cards available to Indian citizens for basic sugar level, excess body fat around the India for nearly twenty-two years. Instead government benefits, including food, free waist or abnormal cholesterol levels — they had visas to stay in Sirsa, where health care, and school admission priority that occur together, increasing your risk they originally migrated to, but did not yet and scholarships. Similarly, they have of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.”113 have permits to live in Jodhpur.118 Finally, been ineligible for state housing programs the residents of the Chopasni camp had and government assistance in finding Similarly, malnutrition and other lifestyle visas for Jodhpur, but were prohibited employment.123 disorders, including obesity, elevated from traveling to other cities, except Hindu Singh Sodha did note that a blood pressure, and cardiovascular Haridwar.119 In contrast to visitor and committee examining the refugee issue in disease associated with a lack of long-term visas in the U.S., which allow Rajasthan has made a recommendation health awareness were also frequently a person to travel freely throughout the to the state government to issue BPL encountered. And finally, infectious country, the refugees were granted visas cards to the refugees, which has been disease and common infections, such as for a specific city, thereby restricting their accepted in principle, but has not yet coughs and colds were noted with regular freedom of movement in India. frequency amongst both adults and been implemented. Expediting this children. In fact, routine infections were These inconsistent patterns are present process would likely alleviate many of the most prevalent complaints observed amongst the wider Pakistani Hindu the socio-economic problems facing the with the children in the camps.114 population in Rajasthan as well. Although refugees we spoke with.124 the vast majority of recent migrants lack Additionally, those refugees with visas Beyond those recurrent conditions noted Indian citizenship, an estimated 13,000 are severely restricted in their freedom of above, Dr. Shukla documented a wide Pakistani Hindus were granted citizenship array other problems as well, ranging from blindness to oral tumors.115 “India has not forced any Pakistani Hindus to return Overall, after examining 150 patients at Chopasni, and nearly 300 migrants to Pakistan under the principle of non-refoulement, collectively at the Banar Road and which states that no country, “shall expel or return Kali Beri settlements, it appeared that consistent access to medical care and (‘refouler’) a refugee in any manner whatsoever to medicines, psychological treatment/ the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom therapy, and general health education would be threatened on account of his race, religion, were the most pressing needs for the refugees going forward.116 nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.”

14 Victims of History: The Untold Story of Pakistani Hindu Refugees in India migrated in 1965. Subsequently, the Indian government has not recognized any Pakistani Hindu migrants as “refugees” consistent with international law.131

On the other hand, India has not forced any Pakistani Hindus to return to Pakistan under the principle of non-refoulement, which states that no country, “shall expel or return (‘refouler’) a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.”132 While India should be commended for this positive step, the government should expand its level of support and provide direct assistance to these refugees, who after enduring great suffering and persecution are now living on the margins of Indian society. The persecution and Indian Embassy in Pakistan and frequently “kicked out of the office.”127 discrimination Hindus In addition, none of the Pakistani Hindus Conclusion and face in Pakistan is a direct with whom we met had been officially consequence of being a recognized as “refugees” by the Indian Recommendations religious minority in an government or UNHCR. Despite meeting The displacement and exodus of the necessary criteria under the 1951 Hindus from Pakistan is not a recent ideologically driven state. Geneva Convention and 1976 Protocol, phenomenon, but rather a long-standing which are the primary international legal trend that dates back to the partition of instruments on refugees and stateless movement and only authorized to stay the subcontinent in 1947. The multiple persons, they have not been accorded in Jodhpur. In fact, some of the refugees waves of migrations to India in the post- refugee status.128 interviewed recounted stories of being partition period, in particular, have been arrested for travelling outside of Jodhpur And since India is not a signatory to the the result of Pakistan’s failure to protect when visiting a relative in another city.125 1951 Geneva Convention nor the 1976 the rights of its minorities. Protocol, and lacks an internal refugee The process for Pakistani Hindus to policy, it can arbitrarily decide when migrate to India has also become to grant asylum or refugee status.129 India does have a long unduly complicated due to increased Furthermore, despite UNHCR’s ability to requirements and procedures. Since history and tradition make refugee status determinations and most of those applying for visas to come assist refugees within India, it has not done of providing refuge to to India are poor and uneducated, it has so in the case of Pakistani Hindus.130 proven difficult to comply with all the persecuted peoples necessary requirements. This “policy The sole exception was during the 1971 from around the of discouragement” as Mr. Sodha calls Indo-Pakistan War, when the Government world, such as Tibetan it, has also resulted in several divided of India in conjunction with the Rajasthan families, with some members unable to state government and international Buddhists from China. obtain visas to leave Pakistan.126 organizations, established 24 refugee camps for 55,000 Pakistani Hindus, This was substantiated by the residents officially categorized them as refugees, According to Hindu Singh Sodha, the at the Kali Beri settlement, who indicated and provided them with a rehabilitation persecution and discrimination Hindus that it took them several attempts before package. The majority of these refugees face in Pakistan is a direct consequence finally being granted a visa. Moreover, they eventually became Indian citizens, in of being a religious minority in an claimed that they were mistreated at the addition to those Pakistani Hindus that ideologically driven state. Moreover, since

Hindu American Foundation | www.hafsite.org 15 its inception, the Pakistani state has neglected to create a system with effective mechanisms and autonomous bodies to ensure equal rights for all citizens and provide its minorities with a sense of security.133 Pakistan has thus failed to live up to its obligations under international conventions and human rights treaties. With more than 100,000 Pakistani Hindus now living in India and a contingent of new refugees arriving every month, however, it can no longer be considered a purely internal Pakistani matter.134 Consequently, the Indian government must address the situation in a comprehensive manner. While acknowledging India’s difficult position vis-a-vis accepting large numbers of refugees and any resulting burden on society, India does has a long history and tradition of providing refuge to persecuted peoples from around the world, such as Tibetan Buddhists from China. According to UNHCR statistics, for instance, India has granted asylum and provided direct counterparts in Pakistan, in regional refugees should be provided with assistance to nearly 200,000 refugees South Asian forums, and with the BPL cards, temporary housing, and from a variety of countries in the past.135 United Nations.136 access to free education and health It should therefore implement a coherent care. The government can collaborate 3. The Government of India should work and consistent policy and render with NGOs and community-based in conjunction with UNHCR and Non- assistance to Pakistani Hindus on an organizations to create model schools, Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to equitable basis. for instance, to serve refugees from address the basic shelter and survival multiple settlements. Considering the magnitude and needs of newly arriving refugees, such complexity of the current situation, there as creating transitional housing and 7. And finally, restrictions on their are unfortunately no simple solutions to providing emergency aid. freedom of movement should be this multifaceted problem. That being lifted, enabling them to pursue 4. India should create a process to said, the Foundation strongly supports the employment opportunities outside formally register displaced Pakistani following recommendations as necessary their city of residence in order to Hindus as refugees consistent with the steps to begin confronting the issue: become self-sufficient. 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1976 1. The United States and the international Protocol. However, if the government First and foremost, it is incumbent upon community should utilize diplomatic does not do so, UNHCR should Pakistan to take immediate measures to pressure and economic leverage conduct its own independent refugee curtail the ongoing large-scale exodus of to persuade Pakistan to implement status determinations (India has allowed Hindus from their homeland. Its failure to additional legal safeguards to protect UNHCR to do this with Afghan and do so will have far reaching consequences the rights of its minority citizens, other refugees in India in the past) and for stability in the subcontinent. Given and create an independent body to administer direct assistance to them. Pakistan’s demonstrated unwillingness investigate and address all forms of to sincerely address the plight of its 5. The approximately 7,000 refugees in discrimination and violence against minorities, however, the migration of Rajasthan (in addition to those in other non-Muslims. Hindus will likely continue unabated. states) that are legally eligible and have As a result, India and the international 2. Furthermore, we support Mr. Sodha’s been waiting for at least seven years community must urgently act to assist recommendation that the Indian should be granted Indian citizenship at these vulnerable refugees in order to government should diplomatically reduced fees. raise the issue of the treatment of the prevent a humanitarian disaster. Hindu minority in Pakistan with their 6. Alternatively, short of citizenship, the

16 Victims of History: The Untold Story of Pakistani Hindu Refugees in India Footnotes

1. The Foundation conducted a similar 9. Sodha, Hindu Singh, “The Nowhere People: 22. Interview with Chetan Ram at Chopasni fact-finding and medical assessment The Story of the Struggle of Post-1965 Refugee Camp on January 15, 2013. trip to Bhutanese Hindu refugee camps Pakistani Refugees in Rajasthan,” (2010), 23. Interview with Kundan Devi during a group administered by the United Nations High Seemant Lok Sangathan; “Gross Violation interview of four women at the Banar Road Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in of Human RIghts of Minorities in Pakistan: A Settlement on January 17, 2013. Damak, Nepal in early 2012. HAF has Study of Migrants Seeking Shelter in India,” since partnered with UNHCR to provide (November 2012), Centre for Human Rights’ 24. Interview with unidentified refugee at Kali Beri psychological and dental care to the Studies and Awareness; Conversations with settlement on January 16, 2013. refugees. Hindu Singh Sodha in Jodhpur, India. 25. Id. 2. Refugee interviews were conducted with the 10. Divya, A., “Insecure in Pakistan,” March 16, assistance of translators proficient in Sindhi, 2009, The Times of India. http://articles. 26. Khan, Raniya, “Marriage Registration for Marwari, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu. The timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-03-15/ Minorities,” Secular Space, Jinnah Institute, excerpts included below are translated as special-report/28057682_1_hindu-families- http://jinnah-institute.org/issues/secular-space. closely as possible into English. haryana-and-rajasthan-valid-documents. 27. Interview with unidentified refugee at Kali Beri 3. Based on conversations with Hindu Singh 11. Based on conversations with Hindu Singh settlement on January 16, 2013. Sodha in Jodhpur, India. Sodha and other SLS volunteers, who work 28. Interview with Amar Lal at Kali Beri settlement closely with the refugee population. Mr. 4. Definition of Refugee, United Nations High on January 16, 2013. Sodha indicated that the 1,000 per year Commissioner for Refugees, http://www. statistic is an average and fluctuates. 29. Interview with Chetan Ram at Chopasni on unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c125.html. January 15, 2013. 12. Based on conversations with Hindu Singh 5. “Gross Violation of Human RIghts of Sodha and Kishan Bhai, an SLS volunteer, in 30. Interview with Jamna at Kali Beri on January Minorities in Pakistan: A Study of Migrants Jodhpur, India. 16, 2013. Seeking Shelter in India,” (November 2012), Centre for Human Rights’ Studies and 13. Punjab was one of those areas divided 31. Interview with Govardhan, a refugee and Awareness. during Partition in 1947. The western part SLS volunteer, at Chopasni on January 15, became Punjab province in Pakistan, while 2013. 6. Census of Pakistan,” Government of Pakistan, the eastern portion remained in India as http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/ 32. “Pakistan the Failure of the Judicial System- Punjab state. Any further mention of Punjab statistics/other_tables/pop_by_religion.pdf -Another Hindu Girl was Forcibly Converted through the remainder of this report refers to to Islam and her Whereabouts are Unknown,” 7. Sodha, Hindu Singh, “The Nowhere People: Punjab province in Pakistan, unless otherwise (March 6, 20120), Asian Human Rights The Story of the Struggle of Post-1965 indicated. Commission, http://www.humanrights.asia/ Pakistani Refugees in Rajasthan,” (2010), 14. Smaller numbers of Pakistani Hindus have news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-042-2012 Seemant Lok Sangathan; “Gross Violation also migrated from Khyber Pakhtunkwa, of Human RIghts of Minorities in Pakistan: A 33. Sirmed, Marvi, “Rinkle Kumari: The Balochistan, and other parts of Punjab Study of Migrants Seeking Shelter in India,” Timeline of Injustice,” (May 25, 2012), province. (November 2012), Centre for Human Rights’ http://marvisirmed.com/2012/05/25/rinkle- Studies and Awareness; Conversations with 15. Based on information received from Hindu kumari-the-timeline-of-injustice/; Rajghatta, Hindu Singh Sodha in Jodhpur, India. Singh Sodha and SLS volunteers in Jodhpur, Chidnanad, “Forced Conversion of Hindus India. in Pakistan Jolts US out of Slumber,” (March 8. Khan, Tariq Mahbub, “Revitalization of Panam 14, 2012), The Times of India, http:// Nagar: Social Displacement and the Minority 16. Id. articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012- Issue,” The 4th International Conference of 17. Id. 03-14/us/31164574_1_hindus-religious- the International Forum on Urbanism (IFoU), conversion-islamization; “Pakistan the Failure Amsterdam, 2009, 18. Interview with Kishan Bhai at Kali Beri of the Judicial System--Another Hindu Girl http://newurbanquestion.ifou.org/ Settlement on January 16, 2013. was Forcibly Converted to Islam and her proceedings/3%20The%20Urbanized%20 Whereabouts are Unknown,” (March 6, Society/poster%20papers/B010_Khan_ 19. Interview with unidentified refugee at 20120), Asian Human Rights Commission, Tariq%20Mahbub_Revitalization%20of%20 Chopasni Refugee Camp on January 15, http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent- Panam%20Nagar.pdf. 2013. appeals/AHRC-UAC-042-2012; 20. Interview with Jogdha at the Kali Beri Settlement on January 16, 2013. Joshua, Anita, “‘Forcibly Converte’d Hindu Women Choose to Stay with Husbands,” 21. Interview with Chammi during a group (April 18, 2012), The Hindu, http:// interview of three women at Chopasni www.thehindu.com/news/international/ Refugee Camp on January 17, 2013. article3328893.ece.

Hindu American Foundation | www.hafsite.org 17 34. Rodriguez, Alex, “Hindus in Pakistan 48. Interview with Jogdha at Kali Beri on January 67. Interview with Chetan Ram at Chopasni on Accuse Muslims of Kidnappings Teens 16, 2013. January 15, 2013. as Wives,” April 22, 2012, Los Angeles 49. Based on informal discussions with several 68. “Cremation Banned? Hindus in Pakistan’s Times, http://www.latimes.com/news/ camp leaders at Chopasni on January 15, 2013. DIK Forced to Bury Their Dead Ever Since nationworld/world/la-fg-pakistan-hindu- Country’s Birth,” (November 29, 2012), The conversions-20120423,0,4186272.story. 50. Interview with Chetan Ram at Chopasni on Indian Express, http://www.indianexpress. January 15, 2013. 35. Interview with unidentified refugee at Kali Beri com/news/cremation-banned--hindus-in- settlement on January 16, 2013. 51. Interview with Jamna at Kali Beri on January pakistans-dik-forced-to-bury-their-dead-ever- 16, 2013. since-countrys-birth/1038031. 36. Interview with Amar Lal at Kali Beri settlement on January 16, 2013. 52. Group interview with adult female refugees at 69. The Sphere Project, http://www. Banar Road on January 17, 2013. sphereproject.org/about/; Burkle, Frederick 37. Interview with Govardhan at Chopasni on M., MD, MPH, FAAP, FACEP and Lis, Julian January 15, 2013. 53. “Connecting the Dots: Education and G., MD, MPH “Refugee Health Care,” http:// Religious Discrimination in Pakistan, A 38. Interview with Parcha Ram at Chopasni on mediccom.org/public/tadmat/training/NDMS/ Study of Public Schools and Madrassas,” January 15, 2013. Refugee_Article.pdf. (November 2011), USCIRF, http://www.uscirf. 39. Id. gov/images/Pakistan-ConnectingTheDots- 70. Based on first-hand observations at the Email(3).pdf. camps and conversations with Hindu Singh 40. Bakshi, Roopa “Bonded Labour,” The- Sodha and SLS volunteers. --South---Asian.com, November 2002; 54. Based on informal discussions with refugees “Bonded Labour in Pakistan,” Report and camp leaders at Chopasni on January 71. Based on conversations with Hindu Singh Prepared for UN Economic and Social 15, 2013. Sodha. Council, June 23---July 9, 1999, Anti--- 55. Group interview with adult male refugees at 72. Interview with Kishan Bhai at Kali Beri on Slavery International, Kali Beri on January 16, 2013. January 16, 2013. http://www.antislavery.org/archive/ submission/submission1999--‐08Pakistan. 56. Interview with Amar Lal at Kali Beri on 73. Id. htm; Naveed, Shayan, “Minorities: ‘Us and January 16, 2013. 74. Based on conversations with SLS volunteers. them’ - what divides Pakistani identity, June 57. Interview with Kashi Ram at Kali Beri on 9, 2011, The Express Tribune, http://tribune. 75. A building was being constructed on the land January 16, 2013. com.pk/story/184740/minorities-identify- when we visited the camp according to SLS with-pakistan-despite-persecution-report/ 58. Group interview of adult male refugees at volunteers. Banar Road on January 17, 2013 41. “Report on Pakistan,” U.S. Department of 76. Based on first-hand observations at Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, 59. Interview with Chetan Ram at Chopasni on Chopasni camp on January 15 and 17, 2013, http://www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/iclp/ January 15, 2013. and conversations with SLS volunteers. sweat/pakistan.htm. 60. Based on informal discussions with refugees 77. Interview with Chetan Ram at Chopasni and 42. Mandhro, Sameer, “Mass conversions: For at Banar Road on January 17, 2013. conversations with camp leaders on January Matli’s poor Hindus, “lakshmi” lies in another 15, 2013. religion,” (January 21, 2012), The Express 61. Interview with Kashi Ram on January 16, Tribune, http://tribune.com.pk/story/324799/ 2013. 78. Interview with Chetan Ram at Chopasni on mass-conversions-for-matlis-poor-hindus- January 15, 2013 and conversations with 62. Interview with Jogdha on January 16, 2013. lakshmi-lies-in-another-religion/ SLS volunteers. 63. Interview with Kishan Bhai at Kali Beri on 43. Interview with Parcha Ram at Chopasni on 79. Based on first-hand observations at January 16, 2013. January 15, 2013. Chopasni camp on January 17, 2013 and conversations with refugees and SLS 64. Id. 44. Group Interview with adult male refugees at volunteers. Kali Beri on January 16, 2013. 65. Interview with Chetan Ram at Chopasni on 80. Group Interview with adult female refugees at January 15, 2013. 45. “Pakistan: The Land of Religious Apartheid Chopasni Camp on January 17, 2013. and Jackboot Justice,” A Report to the UN 66. Life at Risk: Report of HRCP Working Group 81. Id. Committee Against Racial Discrimination, on Communities Vulnerable Because of August 2007, Asian Centre for Human Rights, Their Beliefs, Human Rights Commission 82. Id. http://www.achrweb.org/reports/cerd/ of Pakistan, http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/ Pakistan--‐CERD2007.pdf. Life%20at%20risk.pdf; Ali, Tahir, “Pak’s Hindu 83. Hindu Singh Sodha found temporary shelter Temples Turned into Picnic Spots, Hotels,” for the refugees. 46. Interview with unnamed adult male refuge at February 24, 2011, Rediff India Abroad, Chopasni on January 15, 2013. 84. Interview with Chetan Ram at Chopasni on http://www.rediff.com/news/slide---show/ January 17, 2013. 47. Interview with Kashi Ram at Kali Beri on slide---show---1---paks---hindu--- January 16, 2013. temples---turned---into---picnic--spots--- hotels/20110224.htm

18 Victims of History: The Untold Story of Pakistani Hindu Refugees in India 85. Based on first-hand observations at Kali Beri 105. Interview with unidentified refugee at Banar 121. Based on conversations with Sodh and SLS on January 16, 2013, and conversations with Road on January 17, 2013. volunteers. Hindu Singh Sodha and Kishan Bhai. 106. Estimated number of patients seen by HAF’s 122. Id. 86. Based on first-hand observations at Kali Beri medical team. 123. Id. on January 16, 2013. 107. Based on conversations between HAF’s 124. Id. 87. Based on first-hand observations at Kali Beri medical team and the locally-based Pakistani on January 16, 2013, and conversations with Hindu doctors on January 15, 2013. 125. Based on interviews with several refugees at Hindu Singh Sodha and Kishan Bhai. all three camps. 108. Based on first-hand observations at all three 88. Interviews with several refugees at Kali Beri camps and conversations with HAF’s medical 126. Based on conversations with Sodha. on January 16, 2013. team and SLS volunteers. 127. Based on interviews with several refugees at 89. Interview with Amar Lal at Kali Beri on 109. According to summary notes provided by Dr. Kali Beri on January 16, 2013. January 16, 2013. Gidwani following the medical clinics. 128. Based on conversations with Sodha. 90. Interview with Kishan Bhai at Kali Beri on 110. Burkle, Frederick M., MD, MPH, FAAP, January 16, 2013. FACEP and Lis, Julian G., MD, MPH 129. Id; 2013 UNHCR Regional Operations “Refugee Health Care,” http://mediccom. Profile, UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/ 91. Interview with Kasi Ram at Kali Beri on org/public/tadmat/training/NDMS/Refugee_ pages/49e4876d6.html#. January 16, 2013. Article.pdf. 130. Id. 92. Based on interviews of several refugees and 111. Based on post-clinic summary notes conversations with SLS volunteers at Kali 131. Sodha, Hindu Singh, “The Nowhere People: provided by Dr. Gidwani. Beri on January 16, 2013. The Story of the Struggle of Post-1965 112. Based on post-clinic summary notes Pakistani Refugees in Rajasthan,” (2010), 93. Id. provided by Dr. Gidwani and Dr. Seemant Lok Sangathan; Conversations with Sodha. 94. Interview with Jamna at Kali Beri on January Chandrakantan. 16, 2013. 113. Metabolic Syndrome Definition, Mayo 132. 2013 UNHCR Regional Operations Profile, UNHCR, http://www.unhcr. 95. Interview with Kashi Ram at Kali Beri on Clinic, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ org/pages/49e4876d6.html#; UNHCR January 16, 2013. metabolic%20syndrome/DS00522. Note on the Principle of Refoulment, 96. Id. 114. Based on post-clinic summary notes (November 1997), UNHCR, http://www. provided by Dr. Gidwani, Dr. Chandrakantan, unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/ 97. Based on conversations with SLS volunteers. and Dr. Shukla. rwmain?docid=438c6d972 98. Based on first-hand observations at Banar 115. According to notes provided by Dr. Shukla. 133. Based on conversations with Sodha. Road on January 17, 2013. 116. Id. 134. Id. 99. Id; Conversations with SLS volunteers at Banar Road on January 17, 2013. 117. Based on conversations with Hindu Singh 135. 2013 UNHCR Regional Operations Sodha and Kishan Bhai, and interviews with Profile, UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/ 100. Based on several interviews with both male several refugees at Kali Beri on January 16, pages/49e4876d6.html#. and female refugees at Banar Road on 2013. January 17, 2013. 136. Based on conversations with Sodha. 118. According to Hindu Singh Sodha, the 101. Interview with Nanak Ram at Banar Road on required documents had been filed on the January 17, 2013. refugees behalf and they were only waiting on formal permission from the government to 102. Based on interviews with several refugees at legally reside in Jodhpur. Banar Road on January 17, 2013. 119. The refugees at Chopasni migrated to India 103. According to SLS volunteers, the Rajasthan on religious pilgrimage visas allowing them state administration was relatively more to also stay in the city of Haridwar, a Hindu lenient in granting citizenship to Pakistani pilgrimage site. Hindus in comparison to other state in the country. 120. During this period, the central government delegated the power to grant citizenship to 104. Group interview with adult female refugees at the states after considerably advocacy by Banar Road on January 17, 2013. SLS on the refugees behalf, according to Sodha.

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