The Taliban has announced the imposition of a ban on the broadcast
of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Afghanistan. The reason cited behind the decision is the
presence of female audiences and spectators in the stadiums.

Afghani media outlets have neem warned against broadcasting the
popular cricket tournament which features top Afghani cricketers Rashid Khan,
Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

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Journalist Fawad Aman tweeted his displeasure on the decision. He
wrote, “Ridiculous: Taliban have
banned the broadcasting of Indian Premier League (IPL) in Afghanistan. Taliban
have warned that Afghan media outlets should not broadcast the Indian Cricket
League due to girls dancing and the presence of female audience and spectators in
stadiums.”

While the Talibani government has
repeatedly cited its promise of being a moderate regime, the decisions they
have taken have not aligned well with their apparent ideology.

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Last week Afghanistan’s new sports
chief Bashir Ahmad Rustamzai confirmed that the government will allow 400
sports. He told AFP, “We will not ban any sport unless it does not comply with
sharia law… there is 400 type of sports allowed,” 

When questioned about women’s participation
as to whether or not they will be allowed to play any of the sports Rustamzai
responded with a bleak statement, “Please don’t ask more questions about women,” as per AFP.

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In another spine-chilling statement Taliban spokesperson Sayed
Zekrullah Hashimi told TOLO news, “A
woman can’t be a minister, it is like you put something on her neck that she
can’t carry. It is not necessary for women to be in the cabinet – they should
give birth. Women protesters can’t represent all women in Afghanistan”.

It seems that at a time when the whole world is moving forward and acknowledging gender equality, the Taliban regime is turning a blind eye to change. During their previous regime between 1966 to 2001 women were banned from playing any sport. Their only role was considered to be giving birth to children.

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The Australian cricket board
announced that they will not host the men’s Afghanistan cricket team if the
Islamist government does not support women’s cricket.

Women’s rights activists all around the globe fear for the lives of Afghani
women. Many have voiced their concerns on social media but that hasn’t done any
good as the government continues to bring out discriminatory laws.