'Insult to India’s women': Afghan FM press meet excludes female journalists, triggers outrage

Reacting strongly to this, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked for his clarification on the removal of female journalists from the press conference.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held a press conference on Friday at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi following extensive talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Participation at the event was restricted to a handful of reporters, with women journalists notably absent.

Reports indicate that while the Indian side had suggested inviting women journalists, the decision was ultimately made by Taliban officials accompanying Muttaqi. The move has drawn widespread criticism, highlighting ongoing concerns over the Taliban regime’s treatment of women in Afghanistan.

The exclusion of female journalists prompted sharp reactions from opposition leaders. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance, posting on X, “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.”

Journalist Smita Sharma took to her X account and wrote, "No Woman Journalist invited to the press conference by Muttaqi. No reference to the horrible plight of Afghan girls and women under Taliban regime in opening remarks of EAM Jaishankar or the joint statement issued after talks with Muttaqi."

She further added, "Muttaqi getting the red carpet welcome in a country where we take pride in women achievers and leaders because of our security concerns. World politics today."

Journalist Suhasini Haidar also commented on the matter.

"What is even more ridiculous is that the Taliban FM is allowed to bring their abhorrent and illegal discrimination against women to India, as the government hosts the Taliban delegation with full official protocol," she wrote.

"This isn't pragmatism, this is supplication," she added.

Questioning how in India, the Afghan Foreign Minister could hold a conference and exclude female journalists, Journalist Nayanima Basu in a post wrote, "Right under the Indian government's nose, in the heart of the capital city, the Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi holds a press conference, intentionally excluding any female journalists. How can this be allowed? Who approved such an outrageous disregard for representation?"

Replying to one of the threads, journalist Vijaita Singh wrote, "In my opinion, the male journalists should have walked out of the press conference as a mark of protest."

Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Rahul Gandhi also commented on the matter and said the decision was "shocking and unacceptable".

"(Tali)ban on female journalists in India. Shocking and unacceptable that the Govt of India agreed to it - and that too in New Delhi on the eve of the International Day of the Girl Child," Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh, wrote in a post.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi noted that the in India women have the right to equal participation in every space.

"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," the Congress leader wrote in a post.

"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," he further added.

Muttaqi side-stepped a direct question on plight of women in Afghanistan but said every country has its own customs, laws and principles, and there should be respect for them.

He claimed that overall situation in the country has improved significantly since Taliban came to power in August, 2021.

Muttaqi pointed out that some 200 to 400 people died in Afghanistan every day before Taliban started ruling the country.

(With PTI inputs)