Taliban removes 'Nishan sahib' flag from Afghanistan's Gurdwara Thala Sahib: Reports

Taliban has removed ‘Nishan Sahib,’ a Sikh religious flag from roof of a gurdwara in Chamkani area of Paktia province in eastern Afghanistan. Gurdwara Thala Sahib holds huge historic significance as it was visited by founder of Sikh religion, Sri Guru Nanak Dev. Several social media posts and media reports have shown visuals of holy place without religious flag. However, reports have not yet been verified and government response is also awaited.

reports of removal of Nishan Sahib from gurdwara in Chamkani area came after just last week, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) called on central government and Afghanistan government to ensure safety of Sikhs living in country as Taliban continues its offensive. SGPC is body responsible for management of gurdwaras. As per reports, SGPC chief secretary Harjinder Singh Dhami h even warned that security and safety of Sikh community living in Afghanistan could be endangered, asking Centre to intervene. 

Taliban reimposes repressive laws

Since capturing several new areas in Afghanistan, Taliban have re-imposed repressive laws and or retrogre policies on women that defined its iron fist rule from 1996 to 2001, including enforcing ir version of Islamic Sharia law. As per news agency ANI, Frud Bezhan and Mustafa Sarwar wrote in Gandhara that re-imposition of such repressive measures on Afghan women is new brutal reality of tens of thousands of females who are presently living in areas, now captured by Taliban. 

Deces ago, when Taliban h conquered Afghanistan, insurgent group h forced women to cover mselves from he to toe. Bezhan and Sarwar wrote that Taliban also forced women to limit education and required each female to be accompanied by a male relative when outdoors. Even though Afghan government h removed most of repressive laws, measures have returned under control of extremist group as militants continue to gain ground and Afghan military appeared weak. re-imposition of such laws came despite Taliban claiming repeatedly that it has changed its ways.

"Before, I could go to market alone to buy groceries," said Monira, a 26-year-old woman from Shirin Tagab district in northwestern province of Faryab now captured by Taliban. "I could go to hairdressers. I could wear my hair up."

IMAGE: AP