Javed Akhtar raises voice on Taliban’s new law, condemns violence against women

Mumbai: Famous lyricist Javed Akhtar has strongly criticized the new law implemented by Taliban, which legalizes domestic violence with certain conditions. The Taliban in Afghanistan have issued a new criminal code, which has been signed by their supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. The provisions related to domestic violence in this 90-page document have generated widespread outrage in the international community.

Javed Akhtar’s harsh reaction

According to this new law, a husband is allowed to give physical punishment to his wife, provided it does not break her bones or cause serious wounds. If the husband hits hard and the wife gets bruises or blue marks on her body, his punishment will be limited to only 15 days of imprisonment, for which the woman will have to present evidence in the court. There is a provision for more stringent punishment only in case of serious injury, whereas there is no concrete ban on other types of violence.

Talibans have legalised wife beating but with out any bone fracture. If a wife goes to her parent place with out the husband’s permission, she will be jailed for three months. I beseech the Mufties and mullas
Of India to condemn it unconditionally because it all is being done…

Apart from this, if a wife goes to her maternal home or relatives’ house without her husband’s permission, she can also be jailed for three months. This law binds women more strictly. Javed Akhtar shared his strong opinion on this matter on February 21 and said that all this is being done in the name of religion.

cruelty in the name of religion

He wrote, “The Taliban has legalized wife beating, but on the condition of breaking bones. If a wife goes to her maternal home without her husband’s permission, she can be sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. I appeal to the muftis and maulvis of India to condemn this unconditionally.” This tweet of Javed Akhtar is becoming increasingly viral and many people seem to agree with him, saying that such cruelty should not be tolerated in the name of religion.

Population Foundation of India has also called this a dangerous trend, which legalizes violence against women. This case again raises questions about the status of women in Afghanistan. There are already many restrictions on women’s education, work and personal freedom during Taliban rule. International human rights organizations have condemned this law and described it as giving women a status lower than animals. The voices of celebrities like Javed Akhtar will hopefully draw more attention to this issue and keep the pressure on globally to protect women’s rights. This news has become a matter of concern not only for Afghanistan but also for the world.