Taliban to Restore Land Rights to Afghan Hindus, Sikhs

April 13, 2024

India has welcomed the Taliban regime’s decision to restore private land rights to Afghan Hindus and Sikh minorities as a positive development.

The Taliban administration has set up a commission to ensure the return of property rights to the Hindu and Sikh communities, which were seized by warlords during the previous dispensation in Kabul.

India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the move as positive during a media briefing.

India has not yet recognized the Taliban regime and has been advocating for a truly inclusive government in Afghanistan, while also emphasizing that Afghan soil should not be used for terrorist activities.

India has been pushing for unimpeded humanitarian aid to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan while re-establishing its diplomatic presence in Kabul in June 2022. India withdrew its officials from the embassy in August 2021 due to security concerns following the Taliban’s takeover.

About Taliban regime

Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the country has faced significant challenges. The new regime has implemented strict Islamic laws, limiting women’s rights and access to education and employment. The economy has crumbled, with widespread poverty and food insecurity affecting millions. International aid has been largely suspended, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Hindus and Sikhs under Taliban Rule in Afghanistan

Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Sikh community, along with other religious minorities, has faced increased persecution, discrimination, and violence. As a result, many Sikhs have been forced to flee the country, seeking safety and asylum elsewhere including India. Prior to the Taliban’s rule, Afghanistan’s Sikh population numbered around 8,500. However, since the takeover, their numbers have drastically decreased to just a few hundred. Sikhs in Afghanistan have reported receiving threats, facing harassment, and being subjected to physical attacks by Taliban members and other extremist groups.

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