Amid other funeral rituals, Hindus consider the custom of scattering the cremated remains (ashes) of the dead in the Ganges River extremely important. The majority of Hindus living in Pakistan bury the dead instead of cremation. However, Hindus belonging to higher castes cremate their loved ones and then take their ashes to India to perform the last rituals at the Ganges. Due to the recent Pak-India tensions, India has tightened its visa policy which has made it difficult for Pakistani Hindus to go to India for the funeral of their loved ones. Sources say that visa applications of many families have been rejected several times and returned with various objections.

Source: The Express Tribune January 29, 2020 05:15 UTC