Indian Muslim clerics, Javed Akhtar condemn Taliban over code allowing wife beating

IANS | February 23, 2026 2:40 PM

Lucknow, Feb 23 (IANS) Prominent Muslim clerics in India have sharply condemned the Taliban’s new penal code in Afghanistan that reportedly legalises domestic violence, calling it a blatant misuse of religion and a violation of Islamic principles. The law, which allows husbands to beat wives “without causing bone fractures or open wounds” and punishes women with imprisonment if they visit their parents without permission, has sparked outrage among religious leaders and civil society.

JNU condemns student clash: Warns of strict action under university rules, BNS

IANS | February 23, 2026 2:01 PM

New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Monday released a statement regarding the clash between student groups on campus, stating that the JNU administration condemns such unruly behaviour aimed at the repeated destruction of public property and damage to its inclusive ethos. It added that strict action under the university’s rules and regulations, as well as under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), is being taken to ensure a proper academic environment on campus.

Political leaders in India decry Taliban's new penal code legalising domestic violence

IANS | February 23, 2026 1:33 PM

New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) The Taliban’s new domestic violence code, which permits women to be beaten as long as their bones do not break, has sparked widespread outrage in India. Critics describe it as an "assault on basic human dignity” and a chilling reminder of the dangers when power and religious edicts override basic rights. The move has been condemned as a stark violation of women’s rights, an affront to justice, and a signal that oppressive policies can be formalised under the guise of law.