Afghanistan
Intolerant Taliban attacking, killing artistes, singers, comedians in Afghanistan: Malisha Heena Khan
NEW DELHI: Mumbai-based Afghani-Pak model and actress Malisha Heena Khan took to Twitter today to call out the Taliban for its intolerant, non-consistent and fanatic stance towards artistes, singers, comedians and even journalists and authors, not to forget women in general.
This was triggered by the killing by a Taliban fighter who shot dead popular Afghan folk singer Fawad Andarabi in Baghlan province. This happened days after an Afghan comic was killed by Taliban terrorists.
Nazar Mohammad, also known as Khasha Zwan, was a popular comedian. A video of two men slapping and abusing Zwan went viral on social media. Later, he was shot multiple times, according to various media reports.
Media reports said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that Zwan was killed by the Taliban and said that the men who committed the crime would be put on trial.
The killing of two Afghan artists in August is a matter of concern for activists who are under the impression that the Taliban would shed its oppressive ways after toppling the Ashraf Ghani government and capturing power.
The Taliban had previously arrived at Andarabi’s home, searched it and even had tea with the singer. However, on Friday, two Taliban terrorists arrived at this house and shot him in the head.
“He was innocent; a singer who only was entertaining people, his son said and claimed that a local Taliban council promised to punish his father’s killer.
Meanwhile, Mujahid told the AP that the insurgents would investigate the incident.
Andarabi used to play the ghichak, a bowed lute and sang traditional songs about his country and his place of birth.
A video also surfaced online where Andarabi was seen sitting on a rug and singing.
Agnes Callamard, the secretary-general of Amnesty International, condemned the killing and said that there is no dearth of evidence which is enough to show that Taliban 2.0 is the same as the intolerant, violent, repressive Taliban of 2001.
After the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, people are in a state of terror with reports of targeted killings and human rights abuses being reported from several parts of the country.
The United Nations has also received harrowing and credible reports about atrocities committed by the Taliban in several provinces.