Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's press conference in New Delhi on Friday drew unnecessary attention as "female journalists were barred from the room." The event was restricted to male journalists alone, receiving huge criticism.
Muttaqi's interaction with the press was conducted at the Afghan Embassy, hours after he met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The move reflects the gender restrictions imposed under the Taliban regime.
As is known to the media, the decision on "which journalists were to be invited to the press conference" was taken by the Taliban officials who have accompanied Muttaqi to the trip.
According to a PTI report, the Indian side had suggested including female journalists among the invitees, but the recommendation was declined.
Strong criticism from opposition leaders and partiesOpposition leaders quickly took to condemning the move. Former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram stated that he was "shocked" over the incident, saying that "men journalists should have walked out when they found that their women colleagues were excluded."
He wrote on X, "I am shocked that women journalists were excluded from the press conference addressed by Mr Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan. In my personal view, the men journalists should have walked out when they found their women colleagues were excluded (or not invited)."
Wayanad Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asked for PM Modi's stance on this issue, saying that his "recognition of women's rights isn't just convenient posturing from one election to the other."
Taking to X, she wrote, "Prime Minister @narendramodi ji, please clarify your position on the removal of female journalists from the press conference of the representative of the Taliban on his visit to India. If your recognition of women's rights isn't just convenient posturing from one election to the other, then how has this insult to some of India's most competent women been allowed in our country, a country whose women are its backbone and its pride."
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) October 11, 2025
TMC MP Mahua Moitra, while sharing a video on X, wrote in the caption, "Government has dishonored every single Indian woman by allowing Taliban minister to exclude women journalists from presser. Shameful bunch of spineless hypocrites."
Govt has dishonoured every single Indian woman by allowing Taliban minister to exclude women journalists from presser. Shameful bunch of spineless hypocrites. pic.twitter.com/xxnqofS6ob
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) October 10, 2025
Ever since the Taliban Government took over Afghanistan in 2021, it has curbed all women's rights, including their education and participation in public life. It has faced strong condemnation from the globe, even from the United Nations.
Even during the press conference, when Muttaqi was asked about the condition of women in Afghanistan, he sidestepped it. Further, maintaining that every country has its own system and values, which need to be "respected."
He said, "Every country has its own customs, laws, and principles, and there should be respect for them."
Muttaqi even went on to claim that there has been an improvement in the condition of Afghanistan since the Taliban regime. He stated, "Some 200 to 400 people died in Afghanistan every day before the Taliban started ruling the country. In these four years, there have been no such losses. Laws are in force, and everyone has their rights. Those who are engaging in propaganda are making a mistake."
Defending his government, Muttaqi added, "Every country has its own customs, laws, and principles, and works according to those. It is not correct that people are not given their rights. If people were not happy with the system and the laws, why has peace returned?"
Despite Muttaqi's statements claiming that everyone has their rights in place, and peace has returned in Afghanistan, his not allowing women journalists at the presser paints a contrary picture. The other worthy half of the population in Afghanistan still lives in misery and has been silenced...