Afghanistan, Sept 15: The Taliban government is currently in power in Afghanistan, and strict rules are in place for women. They cannot move about freely or travel wherever they please. An Indian travel vlogger has found herself in trouble due to these stringent regulations enforced by the government.
What happened?
The vlogger, known as ‘Backpacker Arunima,’ hails from Kerala. While touring Afghanistan, she incurred the authorities’ wrath by flouting government regulations. The issue arose because she was traveling alone without a male escort—a practice that angered the Taliban. Consequently, Taliban officials in the Bamiyan province reportedly threatened to detain her.
Arunima had arrived in Bamiyan around 7 PM. Upon seeing a woman traveling alone, Taliban officials inspected her passport, visa, and travel permit.
What are the Afghan rules?
Under Taliban law, women are prohibited from traveling alone without a ‘Mahram’ (a male guardian or companion) or an authorized guide. Violating this rule entails punishment under the country’s regulations. It was for this reason that Arunima was stopped and questioned. It is reported that she was subsequently taken into custody.
Realizing that the Taliban would not let her go, Arunima contacted a local individual. This person arrived promptly and spoke with the officials. The situation was resolved following the payment of a fine. Reports indicate that Arunima was then granted permission to proceed towards the Uzbekistan border.
Appeal via Social Media
Facing a dire situation, Arunima appealed to the Indian government through social media. She stated that she was stranded in Afghanistan and requested assistance in contacting the Indian Embassy immediately. She mentioned that she was facing these difficulties because she is a woman. She further explained that she needed to travel 500 kilometers to the Uzbekistan border, encountering multiple checkpoints along the way, and expressed that she was gripped by fear.