Indian serials have been banned in Afghanistan as Afghanistan government has ordered private TV stations in the war-ravaged country to stop broadcasting popular Indian soap operas by April 15, a move that apparently reflected the growing influence of hardliners who criticised the serials as being “un-Islamic”.

An official said that the decision followed a meeting with MPs & clerics. He said there were “numerous complaints” about the shows.

There are six Indian soap operas running in Afghanistan, providing vital revenue for TV stations, but they have been criticised for being “un-Islamic” by hardliners in the country. Several private Afghan TV channels, including Tolo, Ariana & Shamshad, broadcast the Indian soap operas dubbed in Pashto & Persian.

Afghan Information & Culture Minister Abdul Karim Khurram has said that the action will be taken against TV channels that do not stop airing the Indian serials by April 15.