Afghan Sikhs in Dilemma over Continuing Stay in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan—After losing their long time struggling leaders in a bomb blast in Jalalabad, the Sikhs living in Afghanistan have been once again in a dilemma over continuing their stay in Afghanistan. While some Afghan Sikhs have approached the Indian consulate in Afghanistan seeking visas, some others are still adamant to continue their lives in Afghanistan.

The war ravaged Afghanistan has witnessed dramatic downfall in the number of Sikhs and Hindus during the last three decades. As per official reports, more than 2,50,000 Sikhs and Hindus were living in Afghanistan before 1990 but the minorities preferred to emigrate when Afghanistan became a battleground of proxy war between the United States and the Soviet Union. Within two decades, the count reduced to 3,000 as per an official report published by the United States of America.

Presently, about 300 families comprising of 1000 Sikhs and Hindus in total are living in Afghanistan. The two minorities have only two 600 votes in Afghanistan.

Interacting with media, an Afghan Sikh Baldev Singh said that they have been left with only two options, either to quit from Afghanistan or adopt Islam. However, the Sikhs having well to do businesses in Afghanistan say they are not cowards and won’t leave their country till last breath.

Meanwhile, the Indian Envoy to Afghanistan Mr. Vinay Kumar has welcomed the Afghan Sikhs willing to immigrate to India. He has said that the Afghan Sikhs could live in India as much as they want.

It is noteworthy here that the Indian consulate in Afghanistan issues long term visas to Afghan Sikhs and Hindus willing to immigrate to India.