A chorus of condemnation has risen from India’s Muslim clergy against the Taliban’s fresh mandate on women’s conduct in Afghanistan. Deemed frivolous and violent by figures in Ayodhya and Bareilly, the law draws sharp criticism for clashing with peaceful Islamic principles.
Speaking from Ayodhya, Iqbal Ansari—known for his role in the Ram Mandir case—called the rules ‘foolish laws’ from idle minds. ‘Violence must stop everywhere; justice for all is essential,’ he declared. Ansari broadened the appeal, noting violence bans across faiths and urging religious heads to promote embracing brotherhood over conflict.
In Bareilly, All India Muslim Jamaat chief Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi dissected the edict allowing violence within families as antithetical to humanity. He has consistently branded Taliban as terrorists, unaccepted in his view. Noting post-power shifts like development pledges and India-friendly soil policies, Razvi lamented their stubborn rigidity persists.
These reactions reveal deep rifts in Islamist thought. Indian scholars, steeped in Sufi-influenced traditions, champion non-violence against Taliban’s Wahhabi strains. By publicly opposing, they safeguard Islam’s image as tolerant and just.
As global eyes watch Afghanistan’s trajectory, this Indian dissent amplifies calls for moderation. It signals that true religious authority lies in uplifting lives, not enforcing fear.