Braving threats, Afghan Sikhs and Hindus uphold daily religious practices

Amritsar: A minuscule Sikh and Hindu communities in Afghanistan continue to safeguard their religious sites despite ongoing threats from terrorist but determination remains steadfast, even as the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has assured them of security and extends invitations for their return to their homeland.

While stating that there were around 50 Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan, with about two dozen residing in Kabul alone, Manmohan Singh, a Kabul resident, informed on Sunday that despite facing threats from terrorist organizations, they endeavour to uphold daily religious services in gurdwaras and temples.

He informed that a few Sikhs and Hindus live in cities including Jalalabad, Kandhar, Ghazni etc. and the Taliban government had provided security to them and had put up security posts in front of gurdwara's and temples.

“We have assigned a watchman for each of the 9 gurdwaras and 2 temples in Kabul. The primary gurdwara Dashmesh Pita Guru Gobind Singh, Karte Parwan, opens daily for one hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening. However, the sangat can visit at any time who are allowed to enter the premises of worship place after the watchman verifies their antecedents “ said Manmohan adding that there was a parkash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in gurdwara Karate Parwan.

While reminding of the Islamic State–Khorasan Province (ISKP) led the attack on gurdwara Karte Parwan that left two persons, including one Sikh and a Muslim security guard on June 18, 2022, Manmohan said that despite Taliban government assurances they still feel insecure and that’s why the Hindus and Sikhs living in Afghanistan had sent their families to India or other places for security reasons.

After the mass migration of Sikhs and Hindus from Afghanistan in the past, an idea was floated to begin sending jatha’s to Afghanistan to pay obeisance at the historical gurdwara’s on the lines of jatha’s visiting Pakistan but the same couldn’t be materialised for various reasons.

However, he appealed to the Indian government to simplify the visa process and liberally issue visas to Afghan Sikhs and Hindus so they could regularly visit their families in India and have trade.

“We are only a few people here in Afghanistan doing our small businesses such as grocery, medicine, clothing etc, we wish the Indian government issue visas to us without any hurdles,” said Manmohan, a realtor in Kabul.