The Opposition parties have strongly condemned the exclusion of female journalists from a press conference held by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on Friday. The event, reportedly restricted to male journalists only, has triggered sharp reactions across the political spectrum, with leaders demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre clarify their stance on the issue.
Earlier in the day, Muttaqi met with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House to discuss bilateral ties between India and Afghanistan.
Opposition voices anger over “Taliban-style” event
Priyanka Chaturvedi, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, criticized the Modi government, claiming that the press conference’s exclusion of female journalists reflected Taliban’s regressive beliefs. She further pointed out that the event’s backdrop displayed images of the Bamiyan Buddhas — historic monuments destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.
“The Indian government’s recognition of the ‘Emirates of Afghanistan’ as of yesterday is deeply ironic,” she wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
In a follow-up post, Chaturvedi said, “I completely understand that the event took place inside the Afghan Embassy, and their internal protocols apply. But India’s engagement rules cannot be entirely submissive to their procedures. At the very least, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) should have expressed its opposition to the exclusion of women journalists.”
“No women journalists invited to the presser (because of Taliban beliefs). The Bamiyan Buddhas — destroyed by the Taliban — used as the backdrop. And now, the ‘Emirates of Afghanistan’ recognized by India. Truly ironic.”
No women journalists invited for the Presser (because of Taliban beliefs)
The Bamiyan Buddhas (destroyed by Taliban) as the backdrop at the presser.The messaging of the ‘Emirates of Afghanistan’ as recognised as of yesterday by the Indian government.
Truly ironic.
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) October 11, 2025
“How weak are you?” asks Congress leader Supriya Shrinate
Supriya Shrinate, congress spokesperson and MP, questioned the Modi government’s decision to allow a “men-only” press conference dictated by Taliban norms. She demanded an explanation from both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Jaishankar.
“The Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi’s meeting was closed to all female media representatives. Why did the Modi government agree to this ‘men-only’ Talibani diktat? How weak are you, @DrSJaishankar and @narendramodi? And how cowardly are those male colleagues who chose to stay?” Shrinate wrote on X.
Women journalists were barred from Taliban foreign minister Amir Muttaqi conference.
Why did the Modi govt agree to this ‘men-only’ Talibani diktat?
How weak are you @DrSJaishankar and @narendramodi ?
And how spineless are those male colleagues who didn’t walk out?
— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) October 11, 2025
Priyanka Gandhi demands PM’s clarification
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also condemned the exclusion of women journalists, urging Prime Minister Modi to clearly state his government’s position. “Prime Minister @narendramodi ji, please clarify your stance on the exclusion of female journalists from the Taliban representative’s press conference during his India visit,” she posted.
She added, “If advocating for women’s rights isn’t just an election slogan, then the government must immediately condemn this act of discrimination.”
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…
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) October 11, 2025
The Ministry of External Affairs has not yet issued an official statement regarding the controversy.
India-Afghanistan relations see cautious engagement
During the meeting at Hyderabad House, India outlined key steps aimed at reestablishing diplomatic ties with Afghanistan. Notably, the Indian Embassy in Kabul has been reopened as part of the renewed engagement process.
India also continues to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including food supplies and medical support for those affected by the ongoing crisis.
As announced by EAM S. Jaishankar during his meeting with Muttaqi, “India has delivered additional food supplies as part of its ongoing humanitarian assistance to those impacted by the earthquake in Afghanistan.”
As announced by EAM @DrSJaishankar during the meeting with FM Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan today, India has delivered additional food supplies as part of its ongoing humanitarian assistance to those affected by the earthquake. pic.twitter.com/l0ezCBj1Eo
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 10, 2025
Public reaction and diplomatic implications
The controversy has fueled debates about India’s diplomatic approach toward the Taliban regime. Critics argue that by allowing a male-only press event, the government is indirectly legitimizing Taliban’s gender-discriminatory practices. Supporters, however, suggest the engagement is purely strategic, aiming to stabilize regional security and humanitarian cooperation.
While India insists on maintaining a people-centric engagement with Afghanistan, the optics of Friday’s event have sparked a larger conversation on whether diplomacy should ever compromise on gender equality and democratic values.
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