In Afghanistan, a professor criticized the Taliban live on television. Counter-speech is very dangerous in the country ruled by the Islamists.
Kabul – The militant Islamist Taliban are not exactly known for treating those who think differently in Afghanistan in a humane manner. On the contrary. Anyone who criticizes the group quickly falls into the crosshairs of the Islamists – and their lives are in danger. An Afghan professor dared to venture in spite of the dangers and expressed harsh criticism on a live broadcast. It is now going viral on the internet.
“People have no bread to eat. How is the security? Nobody can say anything, “said Faisullah Jalal, lecturer for law and political science, in a television debate on the popular TV channel ToloNews on Saturday (November 20th, 2021). The Taliban would have to reform because the people would flee Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: Professor live on TV with angry speech against the Taliban
Jalal spoke very loudly during his speech and was literally foaming with anger and excitement about the Taliban, who have been in power since the failed western troop withdrawal in Afghanistan. On August 15, they entered the capital Kabul without a fight and have been in power ever since. They face numerous problems, including a massive humanitarian crisis. Children in particular suffer from severe famine.
The Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem, who took part in the debate, countered that it was better for someone who argues to be in a normal state and not in one in which he does not know whether he is offending others. Jalal then interrupted him and called Naeem an “absolute calf”.
Professor Jalal has been invited to debates by the most popular television stations in Afghanistan for years. He is known for his blunt criticism of the country’s rulers, which also met ex-presidents Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani.
Taliban criticism in Afghanistan: TV station censors speech afterwards
Jalal received a lot of praise for his courage on social media. He is the first who dared to openly criticize the Islamists and is the voice of the people of Afghanistan. Many swapped their profile picture with that of a picture of Jalal. Others expressed concern for his safety.
Taliban supporters are angry with ToloNews and the professor. Some Taliban members wrote on Twitter that freedom of speech was respected, but that the professor should be punished for insulting the Taliban spokesman. In retrospect, those responsible for the TV channel apparently saw the speech as too sensitive. The published recording was censored by the broadcaster, noted a journalist from ToloNews on Twitter. (tvd / dpa)
