After the Taliban rose to power, ethnic hatred, which had already been a long–standing issue due to years of war, increased significantly. The Taliban seemed to be using ethnic cleansing as their primary source of power, and wanted to intensify it. Videos circulated online showing members of the group wildly dancing and waving their flags in Panjshir (once a stronghold of resistance against the Taliban) in an uncontrolled display of jubilation. This, combined with the forced evacuation of people from their homes in places such as Daikundi, Dehdadi, Dandghori, Takhar, Kunduz, Panjshir, Andarab, Behsood and Balkhab, has only deepened the divide between people along ethnic lines.
In many countries around the world, particularly those with a greater degree of ethnic, linguistic, religious and cultural diversity, any form of hateful speech or behavior is prohibited. In some countries, detailed laws have been put in place to prevent specific acts of racism or hatred against ethnic, linguistic, religious and racial groups. These laws not only consider such acts to be inhumane and degrading to human dignity, but also a threat to national security. Those found guilty of spreading hatred will face trials and, if convicted, will be subject to various forms of punishment as stipulated by law, including social discredit, which can significantly hinder their prospects of a successful career. In such societies, even making derogatory jokes about a particular group is not tolerated and will be considered racism.
In Afghanistan, unfortunately, many corrupt politicians (most of whom are drug mafia and bullies) have exacerbated ethnic tensions and created a toxic environment by provoking these issues in order to gain followers and maintain their illegal businesses. The Taliban, a barbaric group that has no understanding of human rights, has only compounded this disaster by adding more fuel to the fire of hatred.
In order to bring an end to the suffering of Afghanistan, law, education and culture must work together in order to increase the level of awareness and tolerance among the people, and to ensure that those who have committed offences are dealt with firmly. The first step should be to prosecute those who have danced and trampled on the graves of historical and ethnic figures such as Ahmad Shah Massoud, Ahmad Shah Durani, Abdul Ali Mazari, and Dr. Najibullah, with the intention of stirring up ethnic tensions. Of course, the evaluation of their political careers and records is a task that should be left to the experts. If decisive action is not taken against those who spread hatred, Afghanistan could quickly descend into ethnic conflict and bloodshed, just like Rwanda, Burundi, Bosnia and other countries with similar fate.
