The Taliban has announced the appointment of a representative for the Hindu and Sikh communities in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. The representative will serve as a member of the Council of Representatives of the 22 municipality districts of Kabul and will advocate for the rights of Sikhs and Hindus.
The Kabul Municipality made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), saying that the representative would play a “crucial role” in the process of returning seized properties to the Hindus and Sikhs in the city.
The move comes as a surprise to many, as the Taliban has been known for its harsh treatment of religious minorities in the past. During their previous rule from 1996 to 2001, Sikhs and Hindus faced multiple restrictions, including on their appearances, and were also prohibited from observing their religious holidays in public.
The Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, after the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces, sparked fear and uncertainty among the Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan. According to some estimates, their numbers have dwindled from 60,000 in 1992 to under 300 now.
Many of them sought refuge at Sikh temple, or Gurdwara, in Kabul, hoping to be evacuated by India, which has historical and cultural ties with the nation. However, only 67 of them managed to board an Indian military flight before a suicide bomb attack near the Kabul airport halted the evacuation efforts.
The rest of them have returned to their homes in different parts of the country, where they face an uncertain future under the Taliban regime. Some of them have expressed skepticism about the Taliban’s promise to protect their rights and safety.
“We don’t trust them at all. They have killed us before. They have taken our properties. They have forced us to pay jizya (a tax imposed on non-Muslims). How can we believe them now?” said Baljit Singh, a Sikh shopkeeper in Jalalabad.
Others have expressed cautious optimism, hoping that the Taliban will honor their word and allow them to live peacefully. “We are happy that they have appointed a representative for us. We hope that he will help us get back our properties and ensure our security. We want to live as Afghans, not as foreigners,” said Anarkali Kaur Honaryar, a Sikh lawmaker who was evacuated by India.
The Taliban has claimed that it has changed its policies and approach since its previous rule, and that it will respect the rights of all Afghans, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. However, many observers and human rights groups are questioning the sincerity of these claims, citing reports of violations and abuses by the Taliban fighters across the country.
