India would be open to providing asylum to Hindus from Pakistan if they ask for it, reported PTI. Some 250-odd Hindus have arrived in India recently and most are keen on seeking permanent residence there as they fear persecution in Pakistan. India is “surprised” at the sudden influx of Hindus from Pakistan who have indicated that they will seek asylum, after arriving in India for an annual pilgrimage or tourism visit, said government sources. In the past week, at least three batches of Hindus have come to India from Pakistan. Although they were made to sign documents promising to return before being allowed to cross into India, many of them have said that they would ask for asylum here.
If these Hindus approach the government — sources admitted that they had not yet done so — it would be an inter-ministerial decision. However the sources said, “India does not generally turn away asylum seekers.” Punjab Congress has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking for government intervention to provide Hindus refuge from Pakistan. Mulayam Singh Yadav of SP said that the issue should be dealt with on a humanitarian level and India should not stay silent.