Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with members of the Sikh-Hindu delegation from Afghanistan at his residence. The delegation hailed the central government for enacting the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) during the interaction at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg and thanked the PM for bringing Sikhs and Hindus safely to India from Afghanistan.
“PM welcomed the delegation and said that they are not guests but are in their own house, adding that India is their home. He talked about the immense difficulties faced by them in Afghanistan and the help provided by the government to bring them to India safely,” the Prime Minister’s Office recounted after the meeting.
According to official updates, Modi had talked about the significance of the CAA and its benefits for the community, assuring them of continuous support to resolve all issues and difficulties faced. “Only you (PM Modi) can understand the pain of the Indians and Sikhs living across the country. Wherever there is a problem I see you came forward,” reports quoted one of the delegation members as stating. They also praised Modi for taking various steps to allow minorities in the neighbouring South Asian countries to obtain Indian citizenship.
According to the press note released by the PIB, the group had contended that he was “he is not just the Prime Minister of India, but the Prime Minister of the world”, adding that he understood the difficulties faced (especially by Hindus and Sikhs across the world) and made all efforts to provide immediate help.
The meeting was also attended by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Union Minister of State Meenakshi Lekhi and saw the delegation gift an Afghan turban to PM Modi. Earlier this week on Friday, Modi had also hosted a delegation of eminent personalities and spiritual leaders from the Sikh community at his official residence.
Speaking about the special arrangements made to bring back Swaroop of Guru Granth Sahib from Afghanistan, the Prime Minister also noted the significance of the tradition of honouring Guru Granth Sahib during his interaction.
