Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 11: The exclusion of women journalists from a Taliban press conference in New Delhi on Saturday sparked sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who directly questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to women’s rights.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the move, saying, “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 women in India have the right to equal participation in all spaces, and the government’s silence exposes the emptiness of its slogans on Nari Shakti.

Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi demanded clarification from the prime minister, asking why Indian women journalists were barred and highlighting that women form the backbone of the nation. Former Home Minister P. Chidambaram expressed shock, suggesting male journalists should have walked out in protest. TMC MP Mahua Moitra called it “shameful” and said the government had dishonoured every Indian woman by allowing Taliban minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to hold a male-only press conference.

The press conference followed Taliban FM talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the Afghanistan embassy. Only a select group of male journalists were allowed, while women were barred. Sources said the decision was taken by Taliban officials accompanying Muttaqi, reflecting the group’s continued restrictions on women’s rights.

The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that India had “no involvement” in the press interaction. When questioned about the condition 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,” while claiming improvements since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.