Kabul: India’s relations with Afghanistan have always been friendly. India has invested generously to aid in the reconstruction of Afghanistan since the mid-2000s. Especially this investment was to keep the neighboring country Pakistan under control. India also built roads, bridges, electricity, dams, schools, hospitals, and parliament in Afghanistan. The Government of India presented the Parliament House to the Afghan people as a symbol of democracy.
The Taliban occupation of Afghanistan has put India in a dilemma. Taliban fighters had entered Parliament House with AK-47s and American M-4 rifles in hand. Its video also went viral. India fears that the Afghan parliament building will now be used by the Taliban to spread terrorism and enforce strict Sharia law. However, the Taliban is trying to show its image has improved.
Taliban has said many times that it wants good relations with India. The Taliban has also appealed to India to complete the pending project in Afghanistan. The Taliban says that this is for the people of Afghanistan. Whatever work India has started. He should complete it.
In an exclusive conversation with CNN, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said that the fundamentalists were only opposing India’s support to Ashraf Ghani’s puppet government, but Afghanistan’s parliament, which is considered India’s gift to the country… is special. Relations with India will not deteriorate due to this.
When asked about the future of the Parliament building, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said, “That building will be used for some purpose.” It can be used for Shura or Islamic Shura.
In Arabic, the word Shura means Consultative Committee or Council. This word is the title of the 42nd Surah of the Quran. In this, followers are encouraged to conduct their affairs “in mutual consultation”.
So what is the future of this gift (Afghani Parliament) from India to Afghanistan? It can be understood by looking at the history of Parliament House.
India started the Parliament House project as a symbol of friendship and cooperation in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. It was started at an estimated cost of $45 million but was completed at a cost of $90 million. The foundation stone of the building was laid on August 29, 2005, by Raja Mohammad Zahir Shah, former President Hamid Karzai, and the then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. Modi credited Atal Bihari Vajpayee for conceiving the project. The inauguration took place on Vajpayee’s 91st birthday. A hall in this Parliament of Afghanistan has been named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The name of this hall is Atal Block.
The Parliament of Afghanistan is a mixture of Mughal and modern architects. White marble sent from Rajasthan and other states of India is installed on the floor. Parliament is mainly divided into four parts, the House of the People, the Office, the Entrance Lobby, and the Senate Hall.
The building houses two-session halls for the Wolesi Jirga (House of the People) and Meshrano Jirga (House of the Elders) with a capacity of 294 and 190 seats, respectively, Pazwok Afghanistan News reported. It also has a lobby, offices for parliamentarians, conference rooms, a library, a dining room, and a press room with other facilities.
