The spokespersons of Akali Dal and Taliban on Wednesday shared a video statement by the head of a Kabul gurudwara saying Sikhs and Hindus stranded in Afghanistan have been assured of their safety by Taliban.
A spokesperson for the Political Office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, M Naeem, tweeted a video – which appears to be part of a news report by Al Jazeera.
The video statement was also tweeted by Akali Dal’s Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee President Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who said he was in constant touch with the Kabul gurudwara and that Taliban leaders met Hindus and Sikhs and assured them of their safety.
He tweeted: I am in constant touch with the President Gurdwara Committee, Kabul S. Gurnam Singh & Sangat taking refuge in Gurdwara Karte Parwan Sahib in Kabul. Even today, Taliban leaders came to Gurdwara Sahib and met the Hindus and Sikhs and assured them of their safety.
Dr. M Naeem also shared the same video and tweeted in Arabic. A rough translation of that tweet reads: ‘Life of Sikhs and Indians in Kabul: Heads of their temples say we are safe… don’t feel fear or anxiety. Earlier people were scared and worried. There is no problem regarding their life and money.
The Akali Dal’s Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee President Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday thanked Prime Minister’s office for processing the visas of Sikhs and Hindus stranded in Afghanistan after Taliban’s advance in the country. He had requested the government to evacuate the Sikhs and Hindus who have taken shelter in a gurudwara in Kabul.
Thanking PMO for their concerns and proactive support. I am constantly communicating with Kabul Gurdwara Committee President S. Gurnam Singh and the Sangat taking refuge in Gurdwara Karte Parwan. They are coping with the situation well and are safe for the time being, he tweeted.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has said the government is continuously monitoring the situation in Kabul and that he is in touch with Sikh and Hindu community leaders in the Afghan capital.
Monitoring the situation in Kabul continuously. Understand the anxiety of those seeking to return to India. Airport operations are the main challenge… We are in constant touch with the Sikh and Hindu community leaders in Kabul. Their welfare will get our priority attention, his tweet said.
The Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan after 20 years has triggered and escalated a humanitarian crisis that started after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from the war-torn country.