The Pakistan Hindu Foundation (PHF) wins the Battle over ashes case

 Swami Narayan Temple @Karachi City (PAKISTAN)

Pakistani Hindus get visas to perform last rites at Hardwar (India)


ISLAMABAD: Ending their two-decade-long wait, India has finally agreed to issue visas to a large number of Hindus living in Sindh, Pakistan, so that they can immerse the ashes of their loved ones in the Ganga at Hardwar.

In Karachi alone, the ashes of 130 people are lying at a cremationground. Hindus believe for eternal transformation, the body must becremated and ashes immersed in holy waters. For some, it is the Induson whose banks one of the holy Vedas was written, for some it is theArabian Sea, but for most Hindus, it is the Ganga. The delay was due tothe tightening of visa procedure because of tension between theneighbours.

The Pakistan Hindu Foundation (PHF) launched astruggle in 2008 to persuade the Indian government to simplify the visaprocedure for Pakistani Hindus, especially those in Sindh. PHF alsoapproached the Pakistan government for help. Its efforts havefinally yielded result, with India announcing that all Hindus living inKarachi will be issued visas so that they can perform the final ritesof their kin and immerse their ashes in the Ganga. Hindus in Karachiwelcomed the decision but rued all Pakistani Hindus did not have accessto the holy river. PHF president DM Maharaj too hailed thedecision, but said the announcement was unjust and visas should beextended to all Hindus of the province, especially those living inMirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tharparkar and Sanghar districts. "Hindusoccupy 230 residential colonies in Karachi since the time of theBritish, but the Pakistan government is still to legalise thesecolonies. We strongly demand that a lease be granted," he said.