200 Sikh families relocated to Delhi from Afghanistan

Following the Kabul Gurdwara Massacre which claimed the lives of 25 worshippers earlier this year, and other similar terrorist attacks at the hands of Islamic militants targeting the Sikh community in Afghanistan, around 200 Sikh families have arrived in Delhi from Afghanistan. 

The families are currently being accommodated at Gurudwaras (Sikh places of worship) that are run by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.

“We are making the arrangements for their accommodation and ticket as well till the time they do not get permanent citizenship,” said Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Manjinder Singh Sirsa. “We are also providing them assistance in employment as well.”

He added that all the cost of the relocation would be covered by the management committee. Indian home minister Amit Shah facilitated the visas for the families.

“Home minister Amit Shah Ji from day one gave the assurance that they can stay here for as long as they want and if they want to be permanent citizens of India, we would make them permanent citizens as well,” added Sirsa. 

Harjit Singh Bedi, chief vice chairman at Gurudwara, Motibagh said: “We are providing them with all the basic amenities to live. We will also try to have the children enrolled in Guru Harkishan Public Schools and will teach them free of cost if the need arises.”

He added that the families could stay in the Gurudwara for as long as they need to. “In the case of earning bread and butter, they need to be emotionally secure. In the case of residential, they are secure over here,” he added.

63-year-old Balbir Singh, one of the Afghan Sikh residents who has travelled to Delhi said he was thankful for those who have helped relocate the families.

“We left everything including our houses–I had a clothes store. Our lives were in danger but now, we feel safe here,” he added.

In March this year, Sri Guru Har Rai Gurdwara in Kabul, Afghanistan was stormed by gunmen, leaving 25 people dead. The following day, a bomb was detonated at the victims’ funeral but the congregation survived unharmed, and then on a third consecutive day of attacks, bombs were found at the Gurdwara complex yet again, but attendees escaped unhurt.