The exclusion of female journalists from a press conference addressed by Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi has sparked widespread condemnation, igniting a debate over gender equality and India's diplomatic engagement with the Taliban. The incident, which occurred at the Afghan Embassy following talks between Muttaqi and India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, has drawn sharp criticism from journalists, political figures, and social media users who view it as a blatant display of misogyny and a disregard for India's democratic values.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra has strongly criticized the Indian government following the all-male press conference held by the Taliban's Foreign Minister in Delhi. Moitra's sharp rebuke underscores the broader outrage surrounding the event, which many see as a compromise of India's commitment to gender equality and democratic principles.
The controversy arose when it was revealed that invitations to the press briefing were extended exclusively to male journalists. Several women journalists who attempted to attend were denied entry, with one reporter being told that "all seats are full," despite visual evidence of empty chairs. This exclusion has been described as unprecedented, marking the first instance of women reporters being actively barred from covering a foreign government's event in India.
Critics have questioned how such gender-based discrimination could be permitted on Indian soil, particularly given the Taliban's well-documented history of suppressing women's rights. Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women, including barring them from attending school beyond class six, banning them from most jobs and public spaces, and ordering NGOs to suspend the employment of Afghan women.
The decision to exclude women journalists from the press conference has amplified concerns about the Indian government's approach to engaging with the Taliban. While discussions between Jaishankar and Muttaqi focused on trade, humanitarian aid, and security cooperation, the absence of any mention of women's rights in public remarks or joint statements has been noted with concern.
Journalists and observers have questioned whether the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was aware of the Taliban's intention to exclude women journalists and whether the Indian government should have stipulated that any public events adhere to Indian constitutional norms. Some have argued that by hosting the Taliban delegation without addressing their discriminatory policies, India is legitimizing the group's oppressive treatment of women.
During the press conference, when questioned about the restrictions on Afghan women's access to education, Muttaqi reportedly sidestepped the issue, stating that "every country has its own customs, laws, and principles, and there should be respect for them". He also asserted that peace and security had returned to Afghanistan, implying that citizens were content with the current system.
The incident has prompted calls for greater accountability and a reassessment of India's diplomatic strategy towards Afghanistan. Critics argue that while engaging with the Taliban may be necessary for strategic reasons, it should not come at the expense of upholding fundamental principles of gender equality and human rights. Some suggest that male journalists should have boycotted the press conference in protest, while others are urging the Indian government to explicitly address the plight of Afghan women and girls in future interactions with the Taliban.
