PRESS RELEASE, HINDUUNITY.ORG 5-22-01

A WARNING TO THE TALIBAN GOVERMENT
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The tiny population of Hindus have been asked by the Taliban muslims to wear a yellow cloth to identify themselves as non-muslims according to the Shariat law or face prosecution. Hindu households have also been warned to identity themselves by affixing a two-meter yellow cloth outside the house. Hindus and muslims living in the same house have been forbidden and have been asked to leave within 3 days or face consequences. Hindu women are allowed to visit the market place but now are required to fully cover their bodies with a yellow 'chadder' (bed sheet) with two small holes over their eyes. They must wear a iron necklace.

Source: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59598-2001May22.html

HinduUnity.org and its’ allied Hindu organizations deplore these new rules set by the Taliban. What has happened is inhumane and falls under extreme bigotry and religion persecution. We ask the leaders of the world to step in and apply pressure to the Afghan government to bring an end to this inhumane treatment of Hindus In Afghanistan as soon as possible. This is an injustice to humanity. It is a shame to the civilized world that a society has to face religious persecution in these modern times. 

Hindus have a long history of being persecuted in Afghanistan. Fewer than 50 families have barely survived the mass Hindu Genocide which is still in progress today. After identifying the Hindus in the above manner, we firmly believe that the rest of the Hindus will face death systematically or be forced to convert to Islam in Afghanistan. 

This brings shocking memories of the Nazi era where Jews in Germany were forced to wear a yellow Star of David as precursor to their wholesale slaughter by the Nazis. 

Currently Muslims are free to practice Islam in India freely without any problems. Not only this, but Muslims also enjoy extra-privileges that Hindus do not. The Indian government spends millions of rupees to send Muslims to Mecca for their yearly pilgrimage and this year the designated subsidy was increased to accommodate more Muslims. The secret of India's tolerance is the Hindu belief which is extremely tolerant towards other religions, beliefs and even cults. Religious freedom is every man’s right. Unfortunately Islam doesn’t recognize religious freedom and has displayed extreme aggression towards non-Muslims in it’s 1400 year history. 

For this reason, we are issuing a warning to the Taliban government that if this practice is not stopped and Hindus keep being the targets of Islamic aggression, then no one will be able to
guarantee the safety of Muslims in India. Hindu population currently exceeds Muslims by 80%. We can assure you that not even the Indian Government will be able to avoid the extreme communal tensions, violence and aggression towards Muslims of India. Innocent lives will be put in danger. This can escalate rapidly throughout the nation. We thus ask the Taliban government and the Muslim leaders of the world to re-think this issue very seriously. The consequences could be devastating. 

We truly hope that we can resolve this matter without any blood shed.

Jai Hindu Rashtra
Rohit Vyasmaan
Chairman: HinduUnity.org