Repression and endurance: anathematized Hindu and Sikh women of Afghanistan

Abstract

Hindus and Sikhs, longtime minority religious communities in Afghanistan, have played a major role in the social, cultural, and economic development of the country. Their history in Afghanistan has not been faithfully documented nor relayed beyond the country's borders by their resident educated strata or religious leaders, rendering them virtually invisible and voiceless within and outside of their country borders. The situation of Hindu and Sikh women in Afghanistan is significantly more marginalized socially and politically. Gender equality and women's rights were central to the teachings of Guru Nanak, but gradually became irrelevant to the daily lives of his followers in Afghanistan. Hindu and Sikh women have sustained their hope for change and seized any opportunity presented to play a role in the process. Active participants in the social, cultural, and religious life of their respective communities as well as in Afghanistan's government, their contributions to social changes and the political process have gone mostly unnoticed and undocumented as their rights, equality, and standing in the domestic and public arena in Afghanistan continue to erode in the face of continuous discrimination and harassment.

Keywords:

• androcentrism
• religious minorities
• sociopolitical repression
• women's rights

Notes

1. For a detailed history of Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan, see Emadi (2014).

2. From the online publication: Abdul Shukoor Hakam. “Kota Sukhani Piramon-e-Hinduha-e-Afghanistan ba Khusus Hinduha-e-Kabul [A Short Commentary on Afghanistan Hindus Particularly the Hindus of Kabul].” Kabulnath. http://kabulnath.de/Salae_Doum/Shoumare_36/Ustad_Hakam_HundjeKabul.html. Accessed April 27, 2012.

3. From the online publication: “Afghan Girl Weds Punjabi Guy.” www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20011119/edit.htm; http://www.topix.com/forum/religion/sikh/TQFTKIF44DFPT5MUO. Accessed March 22, 2015.

4. From the online publication: Ishar Dass. “O Dukhtar-e Diwan, Bibi Rado Jan.” Kabulnath. http://kabulnath.de/Salae_Doum/Shoumar-e-45/Ischer%20Dass_BebiRadoJan.html. Accessed April, 27, 2010.

5. From the online publication: Ishar Dass. “O Dukhtar-e Diwan, Bibi Rado Jan.” Kabulnath. http://kabulnath.de/Salae_Doum/Shoumar-e-45/Ischer%20Dass_BebiRadoJan.html. Accessed April, 27, 2010.

6. From the online publication: Abdul Shukoor Hakam. “Kota Sukhani Piramon-e-Hinduha-e-Afghanistan ba Khusus Hinduha-e-Kabul.” Kabulnath. http://kabulnath.de/Salae_Doum/Shoumare_36/Ustad_Hakam_HundjeKabul.html. Accessed April 27, 2012.

7. From the online publication: “Ba Zendagi Pour Mushaqqat wa Dardawar-e Hamwatanan-e Hindu wa Sikh Bayad Khoon Girist.” [One Must Shed Bloody Tears on the Plight and Suffering of Our Hindu and Sikh Compatriots.] Hizb-e-Hambastagi-e-Afghanistan (Solidary Party of Afghanistan). http://www.hambastagi.org/new/farsi-received-articles/482-one-should-cry-for-the-sorrowful-and-miserable-life-our-hindu-and-sikh-compatriots.html. Accessed March 26, 2015.

8. From the online publication: Faqirchand Chandihok. Kabulnath. http://www.kabulnath.de/Schankar%20Dara/Minare%20Chakari/Atlaja/028.html. Accessed March 25, 2015.

9. Discussions with Balram Dhameja during a visit to the Asmai Temple in Kabul, Kabul, 3 June 2014.