Only 20 Hindus and 50 Sikhs remain in Afghanistan

5 lakh Sikhs existed 4 decades ago

Kabul (Afghanistan) – In 1980, there were around 5 lakh Sikhs in Afghanistan but over the 40 years, most of them fled due to the violence. Now only 50 Sikhs and 20 Hindus are remaining in Afghanistan.

1.There are 8 Gurudwaras in Afghanistan. The only Gurudwara which is functional, is ‘Karte Parvan’. Rest of the Gurudwaras are closed. The Sevak of Gurudwara ‘Karte Parvan’, Manmun Singh said that his family lives in Delhi and they want him also to go to Delhi, but he disagrees with them saying he must look after the holy place. Earlier the entire area belonged to the Sikhs. Prominent Saints would do the kirtan there and Baisakhi witnessed a huge crowd. Currently only 3-4 families are there. Some people had to sell their houses and flee while some other Sikhs’ houses were taken over by the Taliban.

2.The biggest ancient temple in Kabul is ‘Asamai’. On the first floor of this temple there is an ancient Idol of ‘Shaligram Thakurji’. A sacred flame is burning unceasingly since the Hindu rule in 8 ^th century to the Talibani times today and has withstood all the upheavals. 30-year-old Ram Singh is the priest in this temple since last five years. He said that in the olden days huge crowd used to gather. Tuesday and Friday mahaprasad is organised. Though there is no one to partake the prasad, yet the tradition is followed. Currently only 20 Hindus are left in Afghanistan. Earlier there was also a Shivalinga along with many Idols, but because of fear these Idols are kept in the basement. Many Hindus from Pakistan have visited this place for darshan.

3.Ratan Nath Darga is a prominent religious centre for Hindus in Kabul. Ratan Nath was a follower of Guru Gorakh Nath, who laid the foundation of Nath Sampradaya (Sect) in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Editorial perspective

Afghanistan is a glaring example of the consequences of Muslim majority. In future, Pakistan and Bangladesh will also do the same to the Hindus. If Bharat does not learn a lesson from this situation now, Hindus will have to face the same consequences in Bharat.