Srinagar: Pakistan origin spouses of Kashmiri former militants held yet another protest in Srinagar’s Press Enclave demanding travel documents to enable them to visit their homes in Pakistan.
According to a local news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Pakistan origin women marched from the Press enclave towards the icon Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk, shouting slogans. The women said that the government hasn’t responded to their demands.
Saira, one of the protesters said that they hold frequent protests but the government has not paid any heed. “We will continue our protest till our last breath and till our demands are not met,” she was quoted by KNO. “If the government doesn’t accept us, they should deport us to Pakistan.”
The Pakistan origin women are married to Kashmiris who are citizens under the law. “They should accept us because our husbands are Kashmiris and we haven’t committed any crime by marrying them. Kashmiris are citizens of India and so are we,” said Saira.
“When the government can provide citizenship to Adnan Sami [Pakistani singer in Bollywood] then why do not they give citizenship to us,” asked Saira. She said that the government should accept them as they have children and have families.
“Even [tennis player] Sania Mirza married a Pakistani cricketer and is now a Pakistani national but she continues to represent India, then why cannot we be provided citizenship.”
Saira said: “The government is behaving with us as if we are terrorists.”
