Words in Exile: An Afghan Sikh Poet’s Journey

In a humble home in New Delhi, far from the rugged mountains of his homeland, resides Daya Singh Anjaan, an Afghan Sikh poet and former journalist. For over 32 years, he has navigated the challenges of life as a refugee, having fled Afghanistan amidst rising violence and persecution. Despite the hardships, Anjaan’s unconditional love for his homeland and his dedication to poetry have defined his journey in the diaspora.

Born in Paktia province, Anjaan spent his childhood surrounded by the rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty of Afghanistan. He attended school in Gardez, completing his studies just as war began to engulf the country. His military service, lasting four tumultuous years during the 1980s, became an inevitable chapter in his life.

Poetry found its way into Anjaan’s heart early on, even though society often marginalized poets in his community.

“At school, I was always invited to read my poems,” he recalls. These formative experiences helped solidify his identity as a poet. Even now, in a foreign land, he remains devoted to his craft, carrying a paper and pen with him wherever he goes. While only one collection of his poems has been published, Anjaan’s unpublished works could fill eight books if he only had the resources to share them.

In the early 2000s, Anjaan worked briefly for Deutsche Welle in Kabul and All India Radio in New Delhi. Unfortunately, discrimination forced him to leave his position at Afghanistan’s national television station. Such personal trials, alongside the trauma of displacement, have deeply influenced his poetic voice and vision.

The Sikh Community in Afghanistan

In the 1970s, Afghanistan was home to a vibrant Sikh community of around 100,000 people. However, decades of conflict, economic turmoil, and rising intolerance have led the vast majority to seek refuge elsewhere. The Soviet invasion, civil war, Taliban rule, and prolonged military interventions drastically diminished their numbers to just a few hundred.

When the Taliban regained power in 2021, it marked yet another dark chapter in Afghanistan’s history, forcing many Sikhs to flee once again. Most found refuge in India, which hosts a large population of the world’s 25 million Sikhs. Since the Taliban takeover, India has extended a helping hand, offering priority visas and long-term residency options to Sikh exiles, though pathways to citizenship remain uncertain.

The community remembers the devastating attack in March 2020 when fighters from the Islamic State targeted the Gurdwara Har Rai Sahib in Kabul’s Shor Bazar, a once-thriving Sikh enclave, resulting in the tragic loss of 25 lives.

Life in Diaspora

Anjaan’s family fled Afghanistan in 1992 as the Mujahidin rose to power, becoming specific targets of persecution. “Our property was looted, our cars were stolen, and we were told that non-Muslims should not live in the country,” he recalls with a heavy heart.

Initially seeking refuge in Peshawar, Pakistan, police harassment soon drove them to New Delhi, where they have lived ever since. Adapting to life in India posed its own challenges. The scorching summers were difficult to bear, and finding stable work was a constant struggle. Anjaan remembers selling lemon juice on the streets while his children helped clean glasses to support the family. Although minimal aid from the UN offered some relief, the family relied largely on their resilience.

Despite the hardships, Anjaan’s connection to Afghanistan remains unwavering. He often reminisces about winter days spent playing in the snow in Paktia and family outings to Kabul’s Shar-e Naw, where they would enjoy ice cream and visit places of worship.

“Those were golden times,” he reflects, his voice filled with nostalgia.

A Message of Love and Unity

Through his poetry, Anjaan promotes love and unity, themes deeply woven into his experiences and observations. “In Afghanistan, the level of hatred is high—religious and linguistic,” he notes. “My message is simple: let’s love and respect each other. God is one, and we are all His servants.”

While life as a refugee has certainly been challenging, Anjaan’s resilience and enduring love for his homeland inspire those around him. Afghanistan may now feel like a distant memory, but for Anjaan, it remains an inseparable part of his identity, carried within him and expressed through his poetry. 

As he poignantly states, “I cannot forget Afghanistan. It is impossible for those moments to return, but they are etched in my heart forever.”

Watch Daya Singh’s full interview on ADN YouTube.