Humanity Above All: Sikh Activists Help 32 Kashmiri Girls With No Money To Reach Home Amid Clampdown 

In a heartwarming display of compassion and humanity, Delhi based Sikh activists came together to help 32 Kashmiri girls who were based in Pune to reach home post the abrogation of Article 370.

Extending a helping hand to Kashmiris across the country, Harminder Singh Ahluwalia, an activist based in Delhi posted a video on Facebook on August 5 saying that Kashmiri people can seek help from nearest gurdwara or contact him for assistance. He had also added his phone number.

A few days later, Ahluwalia was approached by Kashmiri girls from Pune who were scared and wanted to go home amidst the complete communication blackout. The girls arrived in Pune for training in a nursing course and placement under Skill India Programme a few days before the announcement on Article 370. The girls were running low on funds and could not reach out to their parents.

As the airfare soared high, Ahluwalia again took to Facebook to raise money for air tickets for the girls. The funds were raised within two days. Since the ticket price from Pune to Delhi was high, few tickets were booked from Mumbai. Sikh community in Pune helped the girls reach Mumbai airport.

Once the girls reached Delhi, Ahluwalia along with others accompanied them till Srinagar. The travel arrangements were made ensuring the safety of the girls.

When the group reached Srinagar, Army officers came forward and provided cars to transport the girls to their homes in Shopian, Srinagar, Kupwara, Badgam, and Baramullah districts. The men in turban were extended hospitality by the Army officials.

A video of one of the girls reuniting with her father has been doing rounds on the Internet. In the video, the girl’s father – Mohammed Shami is being repeatedly seen thanking people who rescued his daughter. Shami also offered a cup of tea to one of the Sikh men who accompanied her daughter.

Now this is #India – where one community helps other – 32 Kashmiri girls studying in Pune panicked whn thy lost communication with their families post abrogation of Article 370 shutdown in #Kashmir. The girls approached the Sikh Gurudwara committee4help in going back 2thr homes pic.twitter.com/Tr7Nv11coV

— Neeta Sharma (@NEETAS11) August 19, 2019

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