Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Saturday strongly criticised the absence of women journalists from a press conference held by Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi, calling it “very unfortunate” and reflective of the Taliban’s mindset.
Criticism of Taliban’s treatment of women
Chaturvedi highlighted that atrocities against women continue in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. “It is very unfortunate. Everyone knows what kind of Taliban mindset it is. Atrocities are being committed against women in Afghanistan. I had said yesterday as well that whenever our Foreign Minister meets them, he should raise the issue of what is happening to the women there,” she said.
She described the incident at the Afghan Embassy, where female journalists were reportedly not allowed to attend the press conference, as “shameful.” Chaturvedi emphasised that such exclusion contradicts India’s constitutional values of press freedom and gender equality.
Appeal to the Ministry of External Affairs
Chaturvedi urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to address the issue with the Taliban. “It may not be under MEA’s control, but I hope that MEA takes cognisance of this and writes a letter to the Taliban to address it, stating that the practices and norms in our country are in accordance with our Constitution. We also have freedom of the press and equality. Women have been given equal status. Keeping them out in this manner is very shameful,” she added.
Rahul Gandhi joins the criticism
Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also criticised the Modi government over the exclusion of women journalists. In a post on X, he said, “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.”
He further wrote, “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.”
Context of the visit
Amir Khan Muttaqi is on a week-long visit to India, from October 9 to October 16. This is the first high-level delegation from Kabul to India since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021. The controversy over the exclusion of female journalists has drawn attention to ongoing concerns regarding women’s rights under Taliban governance and India’s diplomatic response.
Significance of the incident
The exclusion of women journalists at an official press event in the Indian capital has sparked debate about India’s stance on gender equality and press freedom. Lawmakers and activists view the incident as an opportunity for the MEA to assert India’s constitutional values while engaging diplomatically with the Afghan delegation.