Source: India Today
Afghan Sikhs living in Delhi have welcomed the announcement by the Centre on providing emergency visas to Afghan nationals, including Hindus and Sikhs. They hoped that all assistance would be initiated for their safe passage to India.
Afghan Sikhs living in Delhi have welcomed the Indian government’s announcement on providing emergency visas to Afghan nationals fleeing the country after the Taliban took over Kabul. The community also hailed the government’s move to prioritise the evacuation of minority Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan.
“We are happy with the government’s statement that they are in touch with Hindu, Sikh Afghan nationals and are willing to provide help. It would be great if the government could find a way for their safe passage,” said Waryam Singh, an Afghan Sikh living in Delhi.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “As regards to Afghan nationals, our visa services will continue through an e-Emergency visa facility, which has been extended to Afghan nationals. This can be accessed through our e-visa portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/Registration. We have already received requests from Afghan Sikh and Hindu community leaders, and are in touch with them.”
AFGHAN SIKHS IN DELHI
Approximately 15,000 Afghan Sikhs live in Delhi after having fled religious persecution in Afghanistan. Their arrival began decades ago and continues to date. A batch was specifically flown in 2020, after threats escalated against Sikh minority.
At the Kabuli Gurudwara in Delhi’s Tilak Nagar, Afghan Sikhs congregate every day to discuss the situation of the Taliban taking control in Afghanistan. The mood is solemn.
“We meet every day and are tense about Sikhs still living in Afghanistan. Everyone has been talking about the fate of those still living there. We are watching the developments and hope that they remain safe,” said Partap Singh, originally from Jalalabad.
At Partap Singh’s office, a team of young men is coordinating a database of Sikhs in Afghanistan and those in desperate need.
While work progressed, a video pinged on their mobile phones. The video was from Kabul. Holed up in a gurdwara in Afghanistan, Sikhs and Hindus were asking for help. The mood at the gurudwara turned serious, and with a solemn resolve, the office-bearers returned to work.
WAITING FOR INDIAN CITIZENSHIP
Harbas Kaur sat in silence at the Kabuli Gurudwara office, seeking help. Her husband was killed in a terror attack at a gurdwara in Kabul on March 25, 2020. She now lives in Delhi and is dependent on community ‘sangat’ for assistance.
Young Afghan Sikh men growing up in India are now expecting their citizenship to be formally accepted.
“Paperwork has been slow. Many Sikhs have been given citizenship, we hope the matter will be accelerated. Then we shall be able to apply for jobs, start a proper business and other opportunities will come,” said a young Sikh man.
Many Sikhs have made their home in India after they were targeted by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Some also moved to western nations like Germany, Canada and the US.
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Afghan Hindus and Sikhs 