New Delhi, Dec 04: The government has expressed concern over reports about ill-treatment of Sikhs in Afghanistan and said it will take steps to address their woes.
“Reports about the condition of Sikhs in Afghanistan are a matter of grave concern. Both India and Afghanistan have good relations and we will take appropriate measures to address their problem,” Union Minority Affairs Minister A R Antulay told a congregation at Bangla Sahib gurdwara last evening.
His remarks came after Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) chief Harvinder Singh Sarna requested the government’s intervention over reports about attacks on the members of the community in Taliban stronghold Kandahar.
The minister also promised consideration of the DSGMC’s demands for Indian citizenship to Hindus and Sikhs, who migrated to India after the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
He said he would take up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
The minister, who was on his first visit to a gurdwara after he became minority affairs minister, was honoured with Siropa (holy Sikh sash) and a sword.
Antulay said the government would consider the committee demand to include on its agenda for talks with Pakistan visa-on-arrival facilities for Indian pilgrims at Wagah border.
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