A press conference by Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on Friday drew criticism after women journalists were not allowed to attend the event. The interaction, held at the Afghan Embassy, was restricted to a few male reporters, a move that many saw as reflecting the Taliban’s long-standing gender discrimination.
According to reports, the decision to exclude women was taken by Taliban officials who accompanied Muttaqi, despite Indian authorities suggesting that female reporters should also be included. “We didn’t expect anything different, as the meet was organised by the Taliban officials,” said a person aware of the arrangements.
The exclusion sparked strong political reactions in India. Former Union minister P. Chidambaram said he was “shocked” that women journalists were kept out. “Men journalists should have walked out when they found that their women colleagues were excluded,” he said on X.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticised the move, questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance on women’s rights. “Prime Minister, please clarify your position on the removal of female journalists from the press conference of the representative of the Taliban on his visit to India. If your recognition of women’s rights isn’t just convenient posturing from one election to another, how has this insult to India’s women been allowed?” she asked.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra also condemned the incident, saying, “The government has dishonoured every single Indian woman by allowing the Taliban minister to exclude women journalists. Shameful bunch of spineless hypocrites.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) later clarified that India had “no role” in the press event, which was organised independently by the Afghan Embassy.
When asked about the status of women in Afghanistan, Muttaqi avoided a direct answer. “Every country has its own customs, laws, and principles, and there should be respect for them,” he said. He claimed that Afghanistan’s condition had improved since the Taliban takeover in 2021. “Before the Taliban started ruling, around 200 to 400 people died every day. In these four years, there have been no such losses. Laws are in force, and everyone has their rights,” he added.
Muttaqi defended the Taliban government’s record, insisting that Afghanistan was now peaceful. “If people were not happy with the system, why has peace returned?” he asked.
