The only remaining Sikh in Khost says no intention to leave

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): The only remaining Afghan Sikh in southeastern Khost province says he is happy here and has no intention to migrate to another country, but urges the government to support him.

Jagad Singh, 60, who sells spices near Sargardan street in Khost City, said if properties and lands belonging to Hindus and Sikhs were given them back, they would return to their homeland.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News that in the past, around 300 families of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus lived in the province, but currently only he remained.

“If all Sikhs and Hindus are given their rights, they will return to the country because life in Kabul is better than in Europe. India its hot. Kart-i-Parwan is a very beautiful place in Kabul, and there are other beautiful places as well, all our Hindus and Sikhs lived there,” he added.

Jagad Singh, the father of three daughters and one son, said he had been selling spices on the roadside in Khost City for 40 years.

SHe urged the government to help him expand his business.

“My request tothe government is that it should help me grow my weak business, I don’t have money to rent a shop,” he said.

Meanwhile, other residents recalled the good memories of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus and insisted on their protection.

Naeem Jan, a resident of Khost city, told Pajhwok: “I had a shoe shop here for 30 years. This street belonged to Hindus. Now there is only one person left. We ask the government to help him. Whenever officials of the municipality come, they remove his table from the street and disrupt his work.”

Eid Marjan, another resident of Khost city, also asked the government to pay attention to the rights of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus.

“Those who have usurped their (Hindus) lands, they should return them to their owners. Their rights should be protected,” he added.

On the other hand, officials say Afghan Sikhs and Hindus have equal rights like other Afghan citizens.

Director of Information and Culture Shabir Ahmad Usmani said that a special commission had been tasked with wresting back lands belonging to the Afghan Sikhs and Hindus in Kabul and all usurped lands in provinces.

He adds: “Hindus and Sikhs who are already present in Afghanistan, they are citizens of Afghanistan, they have equal rights like other citizens. To restore their rights, a permanent commission has been appointed.”

According to information, currently only two hundred Afghan Sikhs and Hindus are living in Afghanistan and hundreds of other families have migrated to different countries.

sa/ma

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