Unrest in Afghanistan causes further fears for Sikhs

As the Taliban seizes control of Afghanistan, the long-suffering Afghan Sikh community has renewed its efforts to seek asylum in the West.

Many people across Afghanistan and the world are concerned about an expected rise in violence and harsh treatment of women, religious minorities such as Shia Harzra and Afghan Sikh and Hindus are no exception.

Last year, a terrorist attack at Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji Gurdwara in Kabul claimed the lives of 25 worshippers. Although Islamic State (ISIL) were responsible for that attack, a comprehensive report produced by American Sikh body Jakara Movement after the event describes the struggles that the Sikh community has faced in Afghanistan over the years, beginning with the beheadings of two Sikhs by the Taliban in 2010.

It also explains how locals regularly spit in the faces of Sikh women and force them to wear burqas, threaten Sikhs at knifepoint to convert to Islam and kidnap, torture and cut the hair of Sikh men, and demand ransom payments.

Taliban representatives reportedly met with members of the Afghan Sikh and Hindu communities to assure them of their safety, but many of the Sangat (congregation) are currently taking shelter in a Gurdwara in the country and remain fearful of their future.

276 Sikhs and 50 Hindus remain in Afghanistan, according to Afghan Sikh film maker Pritpal Singh. He said that the situation remains dire for the Sikh and Hindu community, and called on nations that are regarded as being “safe” to offer asylum. However, he noted that currently there is chaos within Afghanistan’s airports and people attempting to leave the country are finding it difficult.

“The UK has pledged to take on 20,000 Afghan people over the next 5 years, which is an increase on its initial pledge of 5,000 people,” he explained. “However, they have said they will focus on rescuing women and children but not specified how many from religious minority groups will be assisted.”

“Canada has also made a pledge to offer asylum to 20,000 Afghan people, and in a speech, prime minister Justin Trudeau specifically mentioned Sikhs and Hindus. However, in a Parliament debate, only one MP brought up the plight of religious minorities, and only on one occasion.”

The USA and Australia have also made similar pledge, Pritpal Singh noted, however he added that the US administration has handled the situation in a manner that left the Afghan population at risk. He explained that American soldiers were not engaging in face to face combat with the Taliban on the ground in Afghanistan and had not been since 2014. They were only sending planes for air strikes land.

India has now reportedly taken in 20 Sikhs, however, the Taliban has stopped 70 Sikhs from boarding flights leaving Afghanistan. And while it is easier for Sikhs to gain entry into India due to visa requirements, the situation facing Sikhs in India is scarcely better than it is in Afghanistan.

India took in 200 Sikh and Hindu families who left Afghanistan after the Gurdwara shooting. However, due to the situation with covid and unemployment in India, many soon returned to Afghanistan.

An Afghan Sikh said in an interview with the New York Times “I may get killed here because of these threats to Hindus and Sikhs, but in India I will die from poverty”.