AMRITSAR: Waiting for get visas to immerse ashes of their departed family members, Hindus from Pakistan have urged Nankana Sahib Sikh Yatree Jatha to sponsor their visits to India.
Banarsi Lal, a resident of Zafarwal village in Narowal district of Pakistan, told TOI over phone on Friday that he along with 11 members of his family had applied visa to visit Haridwar to immerse ashes of his brother Kunti Lal but every time some objection was raised.
Earlier too Hindus in Pakistan have sought help from various religious bodies in India to sponsor their Haridwar visits for performing the last rites of their family members.
Kunti died about five months ago but his ashes have not been immersed in the Ganga at Haridwar. “This was my brother’s last wish and I will fulfill it at any cost,” Banarsi said. His family had migrated to Pakistan during Partition while some of their relatives stayed back in Gurdaspur district of Punjab.
Nankana Sahib Sikh Yatree Jatha president Swaran Singh Gill confirmed that he had received request from Banarsi’s family and agreed to sponsor them. “We are taking a jatha to Pakistan in April on the occasion of Baisakhi, I will appeal (to Hindus in Pakistan) to give us ashes of their dead ones. We will perform their last rites at Haridwara and also send them the video clippings,” he added.