No chess or music: Life in Afghanistan under Taliban's bizarre bans

According to Khaama Press, the Taliban have now banned chess in yet another move to curb entertainment and sports. The Taliban had returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 after rigorous infighting of 20 years. (Image: ANI)

In the western city of Herat, the Taliban had also banned foreign films, video games and music branding them as anti-Islam. (Representative AI image)

The Taliban had also imposed a ban on women's education beyond primary school. The UN Security Council in 2023 had called for a swift reversal on the restrictions imposed on women impacting various facets of their lives. (Image: AP)

Citing concerns over "obscene acts" the Taliban has banned the construction of windows overlooking areas where women are present. According to the Taliban authorities the "obscene act" might arise from men observing women in domestic spaces. (Image: ANI)

Marking yet another draconian measure, the Taliban had also imposed a ban on women's voices being heard in public, participation in sports, visiting public baths and parks. Women are also not allowed to use transport without being accompanied by a man. (Image: AP)

The morality ministry of Taliban had also imposed a ban on the media publishing images of living things. Television and pictures of living things were banned in Afghanistan during the previous Taliban reign that lasted from 1996 to 2001. (Image: Getty Images)

Claiming it as a western conspiracy to control the muslim population, the Taliban had also banned the selling of contraceptives in two of Afghanistan's major cities. (Image: ANI)

The Taliban has also banned women's salons. Under the Taliban authority there has been a sharp increase in gender based violence and instances of child marriages. (Image: ANI)

According to their interpretation of the Sharia Law, the Taliban had also imposed a ban on shaving beards for men. They had barred government employees without beards from working. (Image: AP)