India Regularly Monitoring Reports of Sikh Persecution in Pakistan and Afghanistan
New Delhi- The Indian government has stated that it is closely monitoring reports of persecution and pressure on Sikhs in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Kartik Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State in Ministry of External Affairs, stated in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) that India has raised this issue with both Afghanistan and Pakistan, urging them to fulfill their legal commitments regarding the protection of religious minorities.
Minister Stated, “In view of the rapid deterioration in the security situation in Afghanistan in 2021, 74 members of minority community from Afghanistan, primarily Afghan Sikhs, were evacuated onboard the special Indian Air Force/Air India flights arranged by the Government of India under Operation Devi Shakti.”
He further highlighted that religious minorities in Pakistan, especially Sikhs, face serious challenges including persecution, threats, forced marriages, forced religious conversions, and the destruction of religious sites.
Singh emphasized that India, through its diplomatic missions, is actively engaging with the Taliban and other authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of religious minorities, particularly Sikhs, in different parts of the world. India has also raised this concern at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Meanwhile, the Indian government has announced the launch of electronic passports, featuring RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips and data encryption, aimed at enhancing security for Indian citizens.
Officials stated that the issuance of electronic passports began on April 1, 2024, and is currently being implemented in key cities, including Nagpur, Amritsar, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
This report comes amid growing concerns about the situation of religious minorities in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghanistan’s Sikh community, in particular, continues to face threats and persecution under Taliban rule, forcing many to leave the country due to restrictive policies.
