India, April 3025 — The Indian government recently issued a visa exemption to Pakistani Hindus seeking to visit religious sites or reunite with family in India, an announcement which has been welcomed by members of this minority community while rights groups and political analysts see as discriminatory policy that reinforces religious intolerance.
India’s Ministry of Home Affairs announced an exceptional decision allowing Pakistani Hindus to enter India without needing a visa for up to 60 days, provided they visit religious sites or attend cultural events approved by them. Unfortunately, however, this exemption does not apply to Pakistani Muslims, Christians, Sikhs or members of other faith communities.
Officials claim the move is part of India’s larger policy to “facilitate religious freedom and community ties” for persecuted minorities from neighboring countries, but critics contend this selective exemption violates secular principles and could widen divisions between communities.
Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch stated: “India’s immigration policy sends a troubling signal by exempting only one religious group; institutionalizing religious discrimination undermines democratic and secular principles.”
This announcement has provoked mixed responses on both sides of the border, with some Pakistani Hindu families welcoming its relaxation of travel restrictions while civil society organizations expressed their alarm that such policies may be exploited for political gain.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a cautious response in Islamabad, encouraging India to ensure any policy changes affecting cross-border communities remain inclusive and nondiscriminatory. A statement issued by Pakistan stated, “We respect religious rights of all minorities but selective treatment raises questions over motives and long-term implications.”
Indian opposition figures also joined in, accusing the government of exploiting religious identity for political gain. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor suggested that “policies must be founded on humanity rather than faith”, adding “Selective empathy is no empathy at all”.
Visa exemption comes amid increasing India-Pakistan tensions and military alert levels on both sides of the border, and observers warn that policies appearing to favor particular religious groups could sever diplomatic ties further.
As debates rage on, Pakistani Hindu families looking forward to attending religious festivals in Rajasthan and Gujarat remain cautiously optimistic; but also aware of the controversy ensuing from this policy.