This is a phrase of biblical origin and the story almost everyone heard in childhood: a wolf in sheep’s clothing. There was a wolf who had great difficulty in catching the sheep because of the alertness of the shepherd and his dogs. However, one day the wolf found a sheep skin. He put his skin on himself and walked among the sheep. The Taliban has brought back this story lost in childhood memories.
Until two weeks ago, the Taliban was issuing statements to reassure the world that women under their rule would have equal rights, be able to work and be part of the new cabinet. He was promising a better future for the youth, freedom for the media and general amnesty for enemies. What happened? Not two days had passed when journalists were beaten to death on the streets of Kabul. All female TV anchors were sacked and women who tried to protest were publicly belted. The Taliban have started stripping the body of the sheep.
Had it not been so, its spokesperson, Zakirullah Hashmi, would not have said: “A woman cannot be a minister… Women do not necessarily have to be in the cabinet. They should give birth.”
The shocking thing is that fundamentalists are celebrating it in all parts of the world including Pakistan and even India. The Pakistani government feels that the withdrawal of the Taliban will increase its strength, but it is also true that the Taliban is the biggest threat to it. This is where the contradictions of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan can be seen. Today, Pakistan is celebrating the crowning of the Taliban, but a few years ago, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund—to become prime minister of Afghanistan—had to spend eight years in Pakistani prisons. He was released under a deal, but it will be interesting to see how long and how effective the deal will be. He himself knows that Pakistan is not a reliable friend. Once Rawalpindi’s strategists supported him, but as soon as their goal was accomplished, they grabbed his neck and put him behind bars. Is there any guarantee that this won’t happen again?
Pakistani rulers understand this. This is the reason why ISI chief General Faiz Hameed recently visited Kabul. It was clear that he was there to ensure a portfolio of internal security for Sirajuddin Haqqani at any cost. Haqqani, who has the responsibility of restoring peace and order in Afghanistan, has blood on his hands. The US had announced a reward of $5 million on him. Haqqani is not the only one in this cabinet to receive such an ‘honour’. The United Nations or the US had announced huge awards for several other ministers, including Akhund. What can be expected from this government of declared terrorists.
That is the point where I doubt Beijing’s decision. Afghanistan’s interim government was yet to be formed, when China announced $31 million in aid for the country’s “reconstruction”. Some Islamic countries are also saluting the Taliban, but it is like playing with fire. Russia seems to have understood it. Moscow was giving mixed signals at first, but at a meeting of BRICS leaders led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear that Russia is against terrorism. Putin also said that the situation in Afghanistan is a product of US policies. Before Putin’s statement, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met his Russian counterpart. Clearly the field was ready. There is no doubt that after two decades of fighting and bright assurances, America has fled, handing over a large part of the world to terrorists.
The question arises whether the Afghan people would leave themselves at the mercy of wolves like sheep and goats. certainly not. The history of Afghanistan is replete with stories of resistance. We saw an example of this on the day the Taliban entered Kabul. Five women stood fearlessly carrying placards of protest. Their numbers were limited, but they were symbols of resistance.
A similar picture surfaced earlier last week. Newspapers and television channels around the world featured it prominently. The picture shows a Talib aiming his gun at a woman who fearlessly separated the veil of the burqa from her face. We must not forget that in the 1990s, when the Taliban first entered power in Kabul, Afghan women lost their freedom to roam the streets of towns and cities. They were enjoying this freedom again for the last few years. By attacking them today, the Taliban are forgetting that there is a huge difference already. Now, Afghan women enjoy tremendous support among social media users. Will these women be the biggest voice and inspiration behind the protest this time?
You may find this idea too optimistic, but what other option is there in these dark days?
Shashi Shekhar is the editor-in-chief, India. Views expressed are personal.
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