Not much has changed for Pakistan Hindu migrants in Rajasthan even after five years since 2018 poll promises

Not much has changed for Pakistan Hindu migrants in Rajasthan even after five years since 2018 poll promises. Migrants face struggles every day while waiting for citizenship and rehabilitation as the ruling Congress’ promise to resolve these issues remains unfulfilled and Rajasthan heads to polls again.

Gamu Ram (40) and his family who migrated to Jodhpur for a better life from Pakistan a decade ago, face struggles every day while waiting for citizenship and rehabilitation as the ruling Congress’ promise to resolve these issues remains unfulfilled and Rajasthan heads to polls again.

Ram lives with his family at a temporary settlement in Bheel Basti, nearly 10 km from Jodhpur city, on Gangana Road. They are among thousands of Pakistani Hindu migrants living in the city holding onto hopes of a better life. Jodhpur has the State's largest population of migrants from Pakistan.

Not being Indian citizens, they don't have a vote but have high expectations from political parties. "I came to India from Pakistan nearly 10 years ago. There were no issues in Pakistan but we had come here for a better life. We do not have Indian citizenship and no permanent land for a house," Mr. Ram, who has a dozen family members living with him, said.

Before the last Assembly election in the desert State in 2018, both the BJP, the ruling party at the time, and the Congress promised to resolve issues related to citizenship and rehabilitation faced by the community. Five years on, the State heads to polls one more time but not much has changed for migrants who struggle every day for basic amenities.

"We are not dying to get Indian citizenship but we want land to live. We are living in temporary settlements. In 10 years, our condition has worsened," Gomu Ram’s distant relative Teerth Ram said.

"We are not asking for free land but if the government provides us with a permanent house, we are ready to pay for it in instalments," he added.

Bhera Ram, who works as a labourer in agricultural fields, said his Pakistani passport has expired and the visa will expire in a month for which he will have to visit the High Commission in New Delhi.