Indian Political Leaders Respond to Taliban's Domestic Violence Legislation
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Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Feb 23 (NationPress) The Taliban's latest domestic violence code has incited significant outrage across India, as it permits physical harm to women as long as no bones are fractured. Critics have condemned it as an attack on fundamental human dignity and a stark reminder of the perils that arise when authority and religious doctrines eclipse essential rights. This law has been denounced as a serious infringement on women's rights, a direct affront to justice, and a troubling indication that oppressive measures can be institutionalized under the pretense of legality.
BJP National Spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain expressed strong disapproval, stating, “The Taliban will not shy away from such conduct. Their return to power has fostered an environment where their actions cannot be justified. The fatwa they issued and the legislation they enacted allow for severe violence against women, and those responsible for these laws must be held accountable.”
JD(U) Spokesperson Neeraj Kumar labeled the regulation as a gross violation of democratic and human rights principles.
“When democratic values are undermined and policies are dictated by religious beliefs, injustice is unavoidable. Such mistreatment of women under the guise of religion is intolerable. No faith endorses the mistreatment of daughters, the denial of their education, or their discrimination,” he stated.
Congress MP Imran Masood criticized the Taliban's rationale for the new code, saying, “I fail to comprehend which Islamic texts they referenced in its creation. This is unjustifiable according to Islamic principles regarding the status of women.”
JD(U) National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad pointed out the broader diplomatic ramifications. “This issue impacts international relations. We stand by the central government's policies and decisions concerning such global matters.”
The Taliban's 90-page code, endorsed by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, also nullifies the 2009 law aimed at Eliminating Violence Against Women (EVAW) and introduces penalties that vary based on social class, imposing lighter consequences for the elite while enforcing harsher penalties on lower-class individuals.
Human rights organizations, including the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, have called for urgent international action to prevent the enforcement of this law.