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New reports stated that the Taliban has formalised domestic violence as permissible so long as it does not result in “broken bones”.
Lyricist Javed Akhtar has strongly reacted to the new Taliban laws. (PTI Photo) (PTI01_05_2026_000126A) (PTI)
What Javed said
In his new X post on February 21, Javed said, “Talibans have legalised wife beating but without any bone fracture. If a wife goes to her parent place with out the husband’s permission , she will be jailed for three months . I beseech the Mufties and mullas of India to condemn it unconditionally because it all is being done in the name of their religion.”
He went on to add, “What ever may be the political expediency these uncouth barbaric Talibans shouldn’t be given any credibility or respectability by us . They are the scum of the world.”
About the laws
The lyricist’s comments after news emerged that the Taliban had formalised a sweeping 90-page criminal code, signed by its supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. According to a report by The Independent, under the Taliban’s new penal code, domestic violence by a husband is largely permitted under certain conditions. A husband may beat his wife, but punishment only applies if the assault is done with a stick and causes severe injury, with the burden of proof falling on the woman.
Even then, the maximum penalty for the husband is 15 days’ imprisonment. Additionally, a woman who leaves her husband’s home without permission can face up to three months in jail, and relatives who shelter her may also be considered to have committed an offence, severely restricting women’s autonomy and legal protection.
Meanwhile, a woman could reportedly face up to three months in jail if she leaves her husband’s home without permission and refuses to return upon his request. The code further states that relatives who shelter her in such situations may also be considered to have committed a crime.
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Santanu Das is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over 5 years of experience, writing on films, pop culture and film festivals. He has a keen interest in writing about South Asian independent films and has covered several film festivals, including Sundance and CPH: Docx. He also brings a sharp perspective to the monthly column called The Fault in Our Stars, where he writes about a recent film/series and what stops the ‘good’ from becoming ‘great’. A gold medalist from Banaras Hindu University, Santanu completed his postgraduate studies in English from Jadavpur University. He is also a Rotten Tomatoes-certified film critic. When not watching films or speaking to celebrities, Santanu can be found reading a book. Some of his favourite films are Aparajito, Ponyo and The Double Life of Veronique. His favourite books include The Corrections, The God of Small Things and A Room of One’s Own. Santanu continues to write passionately about films and celebrity culture. He brings a relatable, as well as critically informed, lens to entertainment and culture for a wide audience. Find him on LinkedIn: santanudasfilm Instagram: @santupechaRead More
