Afghanistan University Education Ban Row: 'Let her learn' Afghan girls paint on walls to protest, minister defends action

Digital Desk: Afghan girls protested on Thursday against the Taliban's edict to bar women from university education in the country, the latest crackdown on women's rights and freedoms, bringing widespread worldwide condemnation. 

In the latest order restricting women's rights and freedoms, the Taliban's higher education ministry issued an indefinite ban on university study for women in Afghanistan.

Unhappy with the downsizing, an Afghan girl protested by spray painting "#LetHerLearn" on a wall. The message plainly expresses opposition to the Taliban's cruel prohibition on females' education. 

Afghan ladies are in despair as the Taliban imposes a university ban. 

Some of the girls wailed as they were told they would have to leave the university and return home since the Taliban had banned female university study in Afghanistan.

The Associated Press received a video of ladies weeping and consoling each other outside a Kabul school. 

The statement came as the UN Security Council gathered in New York and the US State Department confirmed the release of two Americans held by the Taliban. 

Nida Mohammad Nadim, the Taliban government's minister of higher education, defended his decision to prohibit women from institutions on Thursday. 

Nadim stated that the restriction enforced earlier this week was intended to prevent gender mixing in universities and because he feels some courses being taught contradict Islamic standards. He stated that the prohibition will be in effect until further notice.

The Ministry of External Affairs stated on Thursday in response to claims that the Taliban's higher education ministry has ordered an indefinite ban on women's university education in Afghanistan. 

"We have taken note of the reports in this respect with concern. "India has long advocated for female education in Afghanistan," stated MEA spokeswoman Arindam Bagchi. 

"We have been emphasising the importance of the establishment of an inclusive and representative government that respects the rights of all Afghans and ensures equal rights of women and girls to participate in all aspects of life in Afghan society, including access to higher education," Bagchi said, urging the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan to establish an inclusive and representative government.