A political storm erupted on Saturday after women journalists were reportedly barred from attending a Taliban press conference in New Delhi. The incident drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders, led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of failing to uphold women’s rights.
Taking to social media, Rahul Gandhi 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.”
He added that India’s silence over the episode undermines the government’s repeated rhetoric on “Nari Shakti” and women’s empowerment.
“In our country, women have the right to equal participation in every space. Your silence exposes the emptiness of your slogans on Nari Shakti,” he said.
Opposition Unites in Criticism
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks were echoed by several opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, P. Chidambaram, and Mahua Moitra, all of whom condemned the exclusion of female journalists during the event attended by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Priyanka Gandhi urged the Prime Minister to clarify his government’s stance, questioning the presence of the Taliban minister in India under such circumstances.
“If your recognition of women’s rights isn’t just convenient posturing, how could this insult to India’s most competent women be allowed?” she asked.
Former Union Minister P. Chidambaram said he was “shocked” by the incident, adding that male journalists should have walked out in protest. Meanwhile, TMC MP Mahua Moitra called the episode “a shameful insult to every Indian woman” and labeled the government’s inaction “spineless hypocrisy.”
MEA Clarifies India’s Role
The press meet took place at the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi, shortly after bilateral talks between Muttaqi and Jaishankar. According to reports, entry was restricted to select male journalists, a move reflecting the Taliban’s longstanding record of gender discrimination.
Government sources later told ANI that India had “no involvement” in organizing the Taliban’s press interaction, clarifying that the invitation list was decided entirely by the Afghan delegation.
Taliban Defends Exclusion
When asked about the treatment of women in Afghanistan, Muttaqi avoided direct answers, saying,
“Every country has its own customs, laws, and principles, and there should be respect for them.”
He claimed that Afghanistan’s situation had “improved” since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021 a statement that drew widespread skepticism given the regime’s record on women’s rights and education.
Key Takeaways
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Women journalists barred from Taliban press conference in Delhi.
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Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mahua Moitra, and others condemn government silence.
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MEA clarifies India had “no role” in the Taliban-led event.
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Taliban sidesteps questions on women’s rights, citing “cultural norms.
