No Women Allowed: Centre Distances Itself From Taliban Press Row

A press conference held by Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi on Friday has ignited a firestorm of criticism after women journalists were allegedly barred from attending, prompting sharp rebukes from Indian opposition leaders and media professionals. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) swiftly distanced itself from the controversy on Saturday, clarifying that India had "no role to play" in the event’s organization, as invitations were handled by Afghanistan’s Consul General in Mumbai for select journalists covering Muttaqi’s visit.

The exclusion of women at the embassy event, which falls outside Indian government jurisdiction, has drawn widespread condemnation. Reports indicate that some female journalists, despite adhering to the specified dress code, were stopped from entering the press meet, fueling accusations of deliberate discrimination. Social media erupted with outrage from journalists who highlighted the absence of women reporters and criticized the Taliban’s restrictive policies, which are notorious for suppressing women’s rights, including bans on female-authored books in Afghan universities and the elimination of courses like Gender and Development and Human Rights.

Opposition leaders seized on the incident to challenge the Indian government’s stance. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, “When you allow the exclusion of women journalists from a public forum, you are telling every woman in India that you are too weak to stand up for them.” He accused the government of betraying its own rhetoric on women’s empowerment, or Nari Shakti. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed the sentiment, demanding Modi clarify how such an “insult” to India’s women—described as the nation’s “backbone and pride”—was permitted on Indian soil. Former Union Minister P. Chidambaram went further, expressing shock at the exclusion and urging male journalists to have walked out in solidarity with their female colleagues.

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The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of a significant diplomatic reset. Muttaqi, who arrived in India on Thursday, met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday to discuss strengthening bilateral ties. Jaishankar announced the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to full embassy status, signaling deeper engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government. “India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan,” Jaishankar affirmed, highlighting ongoing and new India-backed development projects in the country. Muttaqi welcomed the move, calling it a milestone in Afghan-Indian relations.

However, the diplomatic thaw was overshadowed by the press meet debacle. Critics argue that the incident reflects the Taliban’s broader pattern of gender-based restrictions, raising questions about India’s engagement with a regime known for curbing women’s freedoms. As the MEA emphasized its lack of control over embassy events, the uproar has intensified calls for accountability and sparked a broader debate about balancing diplomatic outreach with India’s commitment to gender equality.

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