Pakistani Hindu Refugees in India Fearful as Deportation Deadline Looms

 Jaisalmer, April 25, 2025 – As the Sunday deadline approaches for Pakistani nationals to leave India following the tragic terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives earlier this week, Pakistani Hindu refugees residing in the country are gripped by escalating anxiety. The Indian government’s directive, issued in response to the massacre, has sparked fears among these refugees, who fled religious persecution in Pakistan, about the potential dangers of returning to their homeland amid deteriorating conditions for minority communities.

The government has clarified that the ultimatum, set for April 27, will not affect long-term visas already granted to Hindu citizens of Pakistan. However, short-term visa holders, including many refugees, face an uncertain future, with no extension offered. This distinction has heightened concerns among hundreds of Hindu families living in refugee colonies across India, particularly in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district.

Voices from Eklavya Bhil Basti

In  Eklavya Bhil Basti in Mulsagar village, a settlement hosting over 1,000 Hindu refugees from Pakistan who crossed into India via the Wagah-Attari border. Among them is Kheto Ram, a Sindh native who fled continuous harassment, selling all his possessions to relocate with his wife and two sons. Arriving in India mere hours before the Pahalgam attack unfolded on Tuesday, Ram expressed profound distress. “The attack has left me fuming,” he told NDTV. “The thought of returning to a hell like Pakistan disturbs me deeply. Dying in India is acceptable, but not going back.” He has appealed to the government and Prime Minister for clemency, emphasizing that his family sacrificed everything to seek safety in India.

Similarly, Balam, another Sindh resident at the colony, along with his wife and young son, voiced a shared sentiment. “Death is better than returning to Pakistan,” Balam asserted, while his wife pleaded, “We left everything we had; please don’t send us back.” Their fears are rooted in the religious persecution they endured, a plight that drove them to seek refuge in India.

Worsening Conditions in Pakistan

The refugees’ apprehensions are underscored by a recent report from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which highlights a worsening situation for religious minorities in Pakistan. The report notes that Hindus, Christians, and other minorities continue to face severe persecution and prosecutions under Pakistan’s stringent blasphemy laws. It has urged the US government to redesignate Pakistan as a “country of particular concern,” reflecting the escalating risks for these communities.

Diplomatic Context and Refugee Concerns

India’s decision follows heightened tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack, prompting measures such as the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches. While the government has assured protection for long-term visa holders, the lack of relief for short-term visa holders has left many, like those in Jaisalmer, in limbo. These refugees, having escaped systemic harassment and violence, fear that repatriation could expose them to renewed persecution, a concern amplified by the current diplomatic rift.

As the deadline nears, the plight of these Hindu refugees has drawn attention to the humanitarian implications of India’s retaliatory actions. Advocacy groups and local leaders are urging the government to reconsider its stance, highlighting the refugees’ vulnerable status and the potential for a humanitarian crisis should they be forced to return. The international community remains watchful as this situation unfolds, balancing security concerns with the rights of those seeking asylum.