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CNN Saturday Morning News

Taliban Proposes Dress Code for Hindus

Aired May 26, 2001 - 09:25   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The ruling Taliban in Afghanistan are asking Hindus to wear yellow patches on their clothing -- actually, it's a proposed law right now. They say it's because Hindus complained about being harassed by religious police.

As CNN's Satinder Bindra reports, critics think the dress code, proposed dress code, is discriminatory.

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SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the face of mounting international criticism against the proposed dress code for Hindus, criticism especially in predominantly Hindu India, Afghanistan's ruling Taliban are standing firm. Speaking before TV cameras for the first time since their latest actions attracted worldwide condemnation, the Taliban say their dress code for Hindus will soon be enshrined as a religious order.

MULLA ABDUL SALLAM ZAEEF, TALIBAN AMBASSADOR TO PAKISTAN (through translator): The fact that the Hindus having asked to have a symbol is not something new. In fact, it is a tradition from the time of the Holy Prophet.

BINDRA: Many see a parallel between the Taliban's moves and those of the Nazis, who in the 1930s and '40s ordered European Jews to wear Stars of David. Just two months ago, the Taliban ignored international outcries and smashed these 1,500-year-old Buddha statues.

Now as anger rises in India, home to 800 million Hindus, the Taliban say the dress code was introduced at the behest of the Hindus.

ZAEEF (through translator): In most cases, Afghani Hindus resemble Muslims. They are stopped by the religious police for questioning. This causes annoyance for Hindus, and in order to facilitate things for them, we have done this.

BINDRA: The Taliban say other minorities like the Sikhs won't be asked to wear separate clothing because their turbans and beards make them distinct. Over the years, the Taliban, which want to introduce a more puritanical brand of Islam in Afghanistan, have punished Muslim men for trimming their beards and banned education for girls.

Their actions have frequently been criticized by other Islamic countries, who say the militia is tarnishing Islam's image.

One of the Taliban's staunchest allies, Pakistan, is also criticizing the proposed Hindu dress code as, quote, "against the spirit of Islam." The Taliban refute that, and say all Hindus will be protected.

Satinder Bindra, CNN, Islamabad.

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