RASC News Agency: In light of National Uzbek Language Day, many Afghanistani citizens have voiced their concerns over the Taliban’s blatant disregard for the cultural and linguistic diversity in Afghanistan. The spokesperson for the National Movement also accused the Taliban of treating the Uzbek language with contempt, pointing out the absence of any initiatives to strengthen or promote it in the country.
Citizens have criticized the Taliban’s mono-centric approach, accusing them of neglecting the cultural values and linguistic differences that make Afghanistan a diverse nation. According to a Kabul resident, “The Taliban do not respect the cultural and linguistic values of the Afghanistani people. They focus primarily on Pashto, disregarding other languages, even during events like Uzbek Language Day.” A resident from Balkh echoed similar sentiments, stating, “We urge the Taliban to respect cultural and linguistic diversity. They promote only Pashto, even though 90% of the Afghanistani population speaks other languages.”
Recently, a number of cultural figures in Kabul called on the Taliban to formulate specific programs to foster the development of the Uzbek language in Afghanistan. Despite the country’s rich ethnic diversity, the Uzbek community, a significant minority group, remains underrepresented. Bashir Ahmad Tayenj, the National Movement’s spokesperson, remarked, “The Taliban view the Uzbek language with disdain and have no plans to promote this historically significant language. They show little regard for the history or culture of the Uzbeks. Unfortunately, the Uzbek language and its speakers endure severe social marginalization under Taliban rule.”
There is a growing consensus that Uzbeks now hold a largely symbolic role within the Taliban’s political framework, and their influence in Afghanistan’s social and political spheres has been significantly eroded.
