The Taliban, which now rules Afghanistan has claimed that it will protect the rights of the Sikh and Hindu communities in the country will be protected.

This was stated by a Taliban official on Monday.

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“Afghan Hindus and Sikhs will be allowed to travel to India with valid travel documents,” the Taliban official was quoted as saying by TOI.

Meanwhile, the Sikhs of Afghanistan, who were taking refuge at a Gurudwara in Kabul have returned back to their homes.

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This was confirmed by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) national spokesperson Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Monday.

He added that the Sikh families met with a Taliban commander at Gurudwara Sahib in Kabul and expressed their desires to visit India to attend upcoming Parkash Purab celebrations.

“I had a long talk with S. Gurnam Singh Ji, Pradhan of Kabul Gurdwara Committee today who apprised me that people taking refuge in Gurdwara Karte Parwan hv dispersed back to their homes in wake of recent attacks in Kabul,” Sirsa said.

“People have dispersed from Gurdwara Karte Parwan. 8 people (2 families) went back to Ghazni; 60 people went back to Jalalabad. 2 families are still there in Gurdwara Sahib. Even yesterday, Commander of Taliban came to meet them in Gurdwara Sahib,” Sirsa added.

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Manjinder Singh Sirsa further said: “These families told Taliban Commanders of their desire to visit India to be part of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji’s 400th Parkash Purab celebrations. The commanders assured them of taking this matter up with their high command.”

Following this development, the Taliban officials said that “Afghan Hindus and Sikhs will be allowed to travel to India with valid travel documents” and that their rights would be protected.

Sikhism in Afghanistan dates back to the 15th century, making the community as old as the religion itself.

Meanwhile, over 550 people, including several Afghan Sikhs and Hindus in addition to Indian nationals, had been evacuated until last week.