Taking to X on Saturday, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanded answers from the Prime Minister.
“If your commitment to women’s rights isn’t just convenient posturing from one election to the next, how has this insult to some of India’s most competent women been permitted in our own country — a nation whose women are its pride and backbone?” she asked.
MEA Denies Involvement
As the outrage spread, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement clarifying that it had no role in organising the Afghan foreign minister’s press event.
According to the ministry, the invitations were not sent by the Indian government but by the Consul General of Afghanistan in Mumbai, who was in Delhi to assist with Muttaqi’s visit.
The MEA further emphasized that the Afghan Embassy premises are not under Indian jurisdiction, effectively distancing itself from the decision to exclude women journalists.
Afghan FM Speaks Only to Male Reporters
Muttaqi, who began his week-long visit to India on October 9, held bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday. However, there was no joint press conference following the meeting.
Instead, Muttaqi addressed a separate media briefing at the Afghan Embassy, attended only by around 20 male journalists and embassy officials. Several women reporters later revealed on social media that they were denied entry to the event.
Reports suggest that Taliban officials accompanying Muttaqi personally decided the attendee list, disregarding suggestions from Indian officials to include women. It remains unclear whether India was informed in advance of the exclusion.
Background: Taliban’s Restrictions on Women
Since seizing power on August 15, 2021, the Taliban regime has enforced sweeping restrictions on women in Afghanistan — banning them from schools, public speaking, sports, and many workplaces. The Delhi press conference appeared to reflect the same gender-discriminatory policies now being carried beyond Afghanistan’s borders.
Chidambaram: Male Journalists Should Have Walked Out
Former Home Minister P. Chidambaram also criticised the incident, expressing disbelief that women reporters were excluded.
“Once male journalists realised that their female colleagues were not invited, they should have walked out in protest,” he posted on X.
The exclusion has sparked a wider debate in India over press freedom, gender equality, and the government’s diplomatic response to the Taliban’s actions on Indian soil.
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