Women Journalists Barred from Taliban Press Conference in Delhi Sparks Outrage
Recently, a press conference held by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi at the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi sparked widespread controversy after women journalists were barred from attending. This incident has ignited sharp criticism from opposition leaders in India, who have targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government for failing to stand up for women’s rights.
Incident Details
The press conference took place shortly after bilateral talks between Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi and India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Despite the official diplomatic nature of the meeting, no women journalists were allowed to attend the press interaction, which was limited only to male journalists. This exclusion was seen as a direct reflection of the Taliban’s ongoing gender discrimination policies, now evident on Indian soil.
In response to the backlash, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that the Indian government had no role or involvement in the decision to exclude women journalists from the event. According to MEA sources, the press meet was hosted solely by the Afghan Embassy and the journalist invitations were decided by Taliban officials accompanying Muttaqi.
Strong Opposition Response
The exclusion led to a wave of condemnation from various opposition leaders:
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, criticized Prime Minister Modi directly. Gandhi said on social media that by allowing such exclusion, the government is telling every woman in India that it is "too weak to stand up for them." He added that women have the right to equal participation everywhere in the country, and Modi's silence reveals the emptiness of the government’s slogans on "Nari Shakti" (women empowerment).
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanded a clear explanation from the Prime Minister. She called the exclusion "an insult to India's women journalists," questioning if the government’s acknowledgment of women’s rights is merely election-related posturing.
Former Home Minister P. Chidambaram expressed shock and stated that male journalists should have walked out in protest when women colleagues were excluded.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra condemned the government for dishonoring Indian women by allowing the Taliban minister to hold a male-only press conference with full protocol on Indian soil.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called it shocking and unacceptable that the Government of India agreed to such a ban on female journalists, especially on the eve of the International Day of the Girl Child.
Context: Taliban’s Gender Policies
The Taliban government in Afghanistan is known internationally for its oppressive policies towards women. Since taking over in August 2021, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women’s education, employment, and participation in public life, drawing condemnation from the United Nations and many global rights organizations for their misogynistic governance.
During the press conference, when asked about the status of women in Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi deflected by stating that “every country has its own customs, laws, and principles,” and urged respect for those. He also claimed the situation in Afghanistan had improved since Taliban rule began—an assertion disputed by international observers.
Government’s Position and Public Reaction
While the Indian government officially distanced itself from the decision to exclude women journalists, the incident nevertheless has become a major political issue domestically, with accusations of failure to uphold democratic and gender equality values. The controversy gained traction especially because it occurred in India’s capital, where democratic norms and women’s empowerment are constitutionally enshrined.
This episode has put PM Modi’s government under renewed scrutiny for its handling of women's rights issues, with opposition leaders demanding accountability and clarity on how such a discriminatory decision was permitted in India.
This event highlights ongoing challenges concerning women’s rights in the context of international diplomacy and domestic politics and emphasizes the need for vigilance and leadership in defending gender equality values