ATTARI: Despite Pakistan’s government’s repeated assurances of instilling a sense of security among its minority communities, the Hindus of Pakistan continue to bear the wrath of fundamentalists and are still being persecuted on the basis of their religion.

Though a majority of them are tight-lipped upon arriving in India fearing punishment back home if they criticize their own government, a few prefer to vent their anger fanned by constant humiliation.

Daulat Ram is one such person who is fed up of the daily humiliation by radicals in Pakistan and is willing to migrate to India if he finds a business opportunity here. "Nothing is well there. We are forced to live like animals and keep our mouth shut," he said adding that they (fundamentalists) come to their houses and places of work carrying Kalashnikovs and plunder whatever they have. "They take away ornaments, harass the women and there is no one to listen to us," he said.

When asked about forced conversions, he said “Don't ask what happens.”

After spending a major part of his life in Pakistan, Daulat Ram, in mid 60s, said that not only he, but a majority of Hindus were willing to migrate to India. "Let the Indian government provide us with job opportunities and then see how many Hindus will leave Pakistan for good," he said.

Another Pakistani Hindu who didn't want to give his name buttressed Daulat Ram’s claims. "He has dared to say all this, which is true, but everyone can't speak like him. We have to live there and take care of our families too," he said. He also said that Hindu girls were still being forced to marry Muslims and embrace Islam.

However, another Hindu, Manohar Lal, countered their opinion. He said that, "Things have changed now. Earlier there were some problems as Hindus were being subjected to humiliation but not anymore." Asked about the willingness of Hindus extend their Indian visa's validation he said, "We have been given one-month visa of 7 cities and we have to go back. We will not get long-term visa to stay in India" he said.