KABUL: Avtar Singh Khalsa will constitute Afghanistan's tiny Sikh and Hindu minority in the next parliament, where he says he hopes to serve all of the nation.
Few Afghans are as invested in the govt's quest for peace and steadiness as the dwindling Sikh and Hindu minorities, which have been decimated via a long time of conflict. The group numbered more than 80,000 in the 1970s, however lately best around 1,000 remain.
Khalsa, a Sikh and longtime leader of the group, will run unopposed for a seat in the lower space of parliament that used to be apportioned to the minority via presidential decree in 2016.
After the October election, he will be a solitary voice among 259 legislators, however hopes his 10 years of carrier in the Afghan military can help him safe a seat on the defence and safety committee. "I don't only want to serve my Sikh and Hindu brothers. I have to be able to serve all the Afghan people, no matter which ethnicity or group they belong to."
The 52-year-old father of four has lived most of his existence in Kabul. He also served as a senator representing the minority, which has long had a seat in the higher space of parliament. Sikhs and Hindus had been driven out of many areas via heavy preventing. They have suffered well-liked discrimination in the conservative Muslim nation.
Khalsa will join parliament at a time when Afghanistan is suffering against a resurgent Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate. But Khalsa mentioned he will proceed to struggle for his group's survival. "I don't care if I lose my whole family and I get killed for this cause. I will struggle until I get their rights."
Few Afghans are as invested in the govt's quest for peace and steadiness as the dwindling Sikh and Hindu minorities, which have been decimated via a long time of conflict. The group numbered more than 80,000 in the 1970s, however lately best around 1,000 remain.
Khalsa, a Sikh and longtime leader of the group, will run unopposed for a seat in the lower space of parliament that used to be apportioned to the minority via presidential decree in 2016.
After the October election, he will be a solitary voice among 259 legislators, however hopes his 10 years of carrier in the Afghan military can help him safe a seat on the defence and safety committee. "I don't only want to serve my Sikh and Hindu brothers. I have to be able to serve all the Afghan people, no matter which ethnicity or group they belong to."
The 52-year-old father of four has lived most of his existence in Kabul. He also served as a senator representing the minority, which has long had a seat in the higher space of parliament. Sikhs and Hindus had been driven out of many areas via heavy preventing. They have suffered well-liked discrimination in the conservative Muslim nation.
Khalsa will join parliament at a time when Afghanistan is suffering against a resurgent Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate. But Khalsa mentioned he will proceed to struggle for his group's survival. "I don't care if I lose my whole family and I get killed for this cause. I will struggle until I get their rights."
In boost for minorities, Sikh leader to enter Afghan House
![In boost for minorities, Sikh leader to enter Afghan House]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
June 19, 2018
Rating:
