Following the exclusion of female journalists during the presser of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, there has been strong criticism of the move. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also joined in, waging an attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning his silence over the issue.
He stated that by allowing the "exclusion" of women scribes from a public forum, the Prime Minister is telling every woman in India that he is "too weak to stand for them."
Gandhi also highlighted that PM Modi's silence in the face of such discrimination only exposes the "emptiness" of his slogans on Nari Shakti.
Taking to X, the Congress leader wrote, "Mr Modi, 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."
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 11, 2025
In our country, women have the right to equal participation in every space. Your silence in the face of such discrimination exposes the emptiness of your slogans on Nari Shakti."
Earlier, other opposition leaders such as former Union Minister P Chidambaram, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, and TMC MP Mahua Moitra also criticised the move, even questioning the Government for allowing it. However, the MEA has denied any association with it.
On Friday, Muttaqi had called a press conference at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, where there was a restriction on the participation of female journalists. Only a handful of male journalists served as the invitees at the presser.
It has been known that the Taliban officials accompanying the Foreign Minister to New Delhi took this decision. The Indian side suggested including women journalists as well, but this was declined by the Afghan side.
Ever since the Taliban regime took over Kabul in 2021, there have been widespread curbs on women's rights in Afghanistan. This has drawn severe criticism from the world, including the United Nations.