New Delhi: A press conference held by Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Delhi has sparked a political and social controversy after female journalists were reportedly excluded from attending the event. Only male journalists were allowed, triggering sharp reactions from opposition parties, civil society, and media professionals.
Opposition Leaders Criticize Government
Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi targeted the central government over the incident. Priyanka Gandhi questioned on social media platform X why women journalists were barred if the government claims to champion women’s rights, calling the move an affront to democratic values and gender equality. Rahul Gandhi criticized both the government and attending male journalists, stating such incidents expose the gap between the government’s rhetoric on women empowerment and ground realities.
Government Denies Involvement
Responding to the backlash, government sources clarified that the press conference was organized solely by the Afghan side, and the Indian government or the Ministry of External Affairs had no role in the invitations or the event’s conduct. Officials stressed that the government cannot be held responsible for the Afghan delegation’s internal arrangements.
Voices Across the Spectrum Condemn the Exclusion
Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram condemned the exclusion as a serious attack on press freedom and gender equality, suggesting that male journalists should have staged a walkout in protest. On social media, journalists, activists, and the general public voiced outrage, questioning whether India should host representatives of the Taliban on platforms where democratic norms and gender equality are ignored.
The incident has reignited debates over India’s engagement with the Taliban, particularly in light of the ongoing global criticism of Afghanistan’s restrictions on women’s education, employment, and public participation. Political and social circles continue to scrutinize the event, raising questions about gender discrimination in public forums in a democratic country like India.
