Pakistan minorities live in fear

More than 20 people have been arrested after violence erupted and two people died near the Mumbai sports ground Azad Maidan during protests organised by a Muslim organisation.

At least 55 people, including police, were injured on Saturday as clashes took place during the rally.

The initial event had been organised to denounce ethnic disturbances in India’s northeastern Assam state, and to draw attention to alleged attacks on the Muslim minority in neighbouring Myanmar.

In an attempt to diffuse the situation, Muslim political leader Abu Azmi said: “I want to appeal to people, especially the Muslim community, that they don’t have to do anything. They have to maintain peace and let the law take its course.”

Tensions have been growing between Assam’s indegenous Bodo tribes, who are largely Hindu and Christian, and Muslim immigrants coming from Bangladesh.

At least 77 people have died in recent violence there, according to India’s Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.

Hindus from Pakistan are in a severe crisis. They are traumatised in Pakistan and are unwanted in India, but that does not stop them from coming back to their homeland in the hope of a better future. As chorus grows louder for these Pakistani Hindus and with the Ministry of external affairs stepping in what stand will India take remains to be seen?

NEW DELHI: India would be open to giving asylum to Hindus from Pakistan if they ask for it. Some 250-odd Hindus have arrived recently and most are keen on seeking permanent residence in India as they fear persecution in Pakistan.

India is "surprised" at the sudden influx of Hindus from Pakistan who have indicated that they will ask for asylum after arriving here 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 they would ask for asylum here.

If these Hindus approach the government — sources said they had not yet done so — it would be an inter-ministerial decision. However, sources said "India does not generally turn away asylum seekers."