'PM must discuss plight of Hindus with Zardari'

 Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijay Kumar Malhotra on Thursday came down heavily upon the Central government for its “criminal silence” over the treatment meted out to Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan by Islamist fundamentalists.

Expressing deep anguish and concern over the “gross violation” of religious and fundamental rights of Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan, Malhotra urged the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take up this issue with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on his visit to India on April 8.

“Atrocities on the minorities, especially Hindus have become so rampant that even US senators and Congressmen have expressed their concern. Several international NGOs have also raised this issue, but Pakistan government has failed to act. The situation has come to such a stage that for sheer survival, Hindus tend to hide their religious identity in Pakistan,” said Malhotra.

According to Malhotra, the kidnapping of Hindu girls is on the rise and Hindus are being forced to undergo conversion.

“Those Hindus who protest are either being killed by fanatics or harassed by the authorities. Islamic fundamentalists have declared an open war against Hindus, who are being treated as second class citizens,” said Malhotra.

He also expressed surprise over the attitude of human rights groups in India, which miss no opportunity to create ruckus over small issues but have maintained a stony silence over the killings and conversions of Hindus in Pakistan.