Parachinaris fighting 'refugee' stigma since last six decades

CHAMBA: Akin to the Muslims, who migrated to Pakistan during partition facing 'Muhajir' tag in Pakistan, a lesser known community of Parachinari's Hindu and Sikhs are facing a similar stigma of being called refugees here in Chamba district of Himachal Pardesh.

Living away from the media glaze for past 67 years, the Parachinari having their roots in Afghanistan have flourished and settled well in Chamba controlling most of the business of the valley.

"Ja refugeeia di dukan to saman lay aaa (Go buy stuff from refugee's shop), this is how many people still address us here which is very hurting and disappointing," said a Parachanari Amritpal Singh while talking to TOI on Monday.

Parachinar is the capital of Kurram Agency, in Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan. After Parachinar Massacre on January 23, 1948 wherein more than 500 Sikhs and Hindus were killed, they migrated to India. First they went to Delhi but couldn't bear the hot climate and later settled in Chamba.

This little Parachinari community which is also actively engaged in social and religious activities doesn't understand how to persuade locals so as to wash off the stigma.

"I heard my parents calling them refugees so I also call them refugees" said a local resident Vishal.

"They don't say in front of us but for sure on our back which we get to know" said Balwant Singh another Parachinari having shop in Main Bazar, Chamba.

Jasbir Singh Nagpal, vice president, RSS said he couldn't pinpoint why they were still called refugees. "May be because of illiteracy or lack of awareness, otherwise I don't see any reason to be called refugees even after nearly seven decades of living here," he said.

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