Sikh, Hindu children rally for Wolesi Jirga seat

KABUL for the minorities.

Children below the age of 14 took part in the protest organised by several civil society organisations in front of the parliament house.

One of the children, Otar Singh said “We are Afghans and we have defended the motherland by shedding our blood. We should be given our rights.”

Another participant, Masooma Amini, said the protest was aimed at defending the rights of Sikhs and Hindus living in Afghanistan. The 11-year-old asked the parliament to approve the presidential decree reserving a seat for the minorities.

On September 4, President Karzai signed the legislative decree in accordance with Article 79 of the Constitution and the electoral law. But the Wolesi Jirga rejected the decree, which has been approved by the Meshrano Jirga.

Meshrano Jirga Deputy Chairman Mohammad Alam Ezedyar, who met the protesting children, said all Afghans had equal rights under the constitution.

He requested the joint commission of Meshrano Jirga and Wolesi Jirga to make a decision on the seat for the minorities.

Faryab people’s representative in Wolesi Jirga, Dr Naqibullah Faiq, also a member of the joint commission, said the panel was trying to convince the Wolesi Jirga into approving the reserved seat for the Hindu and Sikh minorities.

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