Afghan Hindus Forced to Wear Yellow Cloth

Times of India
Oct 23, 1998

Another interesting story that yesterday's[23-10-98] Times
of India [TOI] carries on its front page is of the
present situation of Hindus in Afghanistan. The story
entitled "Taliban puts yellow mark on Hindus" starts with
the para- " Under a rigid new social code imposed by the
Taliban Islamic Militia , nearly 50 Hindu families living
in this southern Afghan city are required to wear a
distinctive yellow piece of cloth. Of an estimated 600
families who once thrived in Kandahar most moved out
during the past 20 years of turmoil." According to the
story After Kandahar fell to the Taliban four years ago ,
the Hindus were frequently intercepted by the religious
police for not having beards as the hardline Islamic
militia had banned the trimming of beards. In an apparent
bid to avoid confusion , the militia has enforced a new
code for the non-Muslim community. The story states that
two months ago the Taliban authorities asked Hindus to put
a yellow coloured piece of cloth on their shirts to
differentiate them from the bearded and turbaned Muslims
, community members said last week. The Sikhs who keep
beards and wear turbans , escape any Taliban action because
they also wear a steel bangle as part of their faith. A
Taliban official told AFP there was no restriction on
non-Muslim minorities performing their religious duties .
"Hindus and Sikhs live freely here but of course they have
to abide the laws of the land,Ó he added. The Hindus are
left with two temples while the Sikhs have one Gurudwara
or place of their worship. The community claims several
worship places had been converted into residential quarters
during the prolonged civil war in the country. In the
concluding para the story says- " Community elder S.L.
Birwani , a leading trader in dry fruits , said the
minorities should adjust to the law of the land. " Our
women wear veils and cannot go to school like other
Afghan girls,Ó he said , referring to the restrictions
imposed by the Taliban on the movement and conduct of
women."

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