100 e-visas for Afghan Sikhs, Hindus on priority

New Delhi, June 19

Jolted by criticism following the attack on Gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul on Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs has issued e-visas to 100 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus. The realisation that there will be no letup in the attacks on Sikhs and Hindus by the ISIS (known as Islamic State Khorasan Province — ISKP) and a tweet by philanthropist Puneet Chandhok led to overnight processing of visas.

12-page pamphlet

• The issuance of visas comes against the backdrop of a 12-page pamphlet by Islamic group (ISKP), threatening attacks on ‘all Hindus’
• On Saturday, several blasts tore through Gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul’s Bagh-e Bala neighbourhood, killing 2 persons, including a guard

Immediately after explosions hit the gurdwara, Chandhok tweeted, “on May 27 (three weeks ago), I had forwarded a plea by Afghan minorities to the MEA and Home Ministry for processing e-visas pending for the last one year for 150 Hindus and Sikhs still in Kabul. On multiple occasions (I) raised concerns and still the e-visa is awaited. I pray that all survive.’’ The issuance of visas to the last badge of Sikh and Hindu minorities in Afghanistan comes against the backdrop of a 12-page pamphlet published by the ISKP, threatening attacks on “all Hindus” for the growing closeness between the Taliban and New Delhi and the comments made against Prophet Muhammad. It also called for widespread massacre of Hindus “wherever you find them”.

Another reason is that any connection with India will help build the image of the recently created Islamic State Hind Province (ISHP) with focus on the subcontinent. The ISKP is understood to be bringing out its literature in Indian languages in a bid to radicalise vulnerable youth in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

The “44 ways of jihad” booklet is popular among all kinds of jihadists. It is considered one of the basic tools of propaganda. “Now the ISKP is presenting literature in the Malayalam language for South Indian people,” tweeted journalist Majid Nizami.