Afghan FM’s Delhi Press Meet Sparks Controversy Over Ban on Women Journalists
Women reporters barred from attending Afghan foreign minister’s press conference in Delhi, sparking criticism and political backlash.
A controversy erupted during Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India after women journalists were reportedly barred from attending his press conference held in New Delhi on Friday. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the media fraternity, civil society, and opposition leaders who have called it a discriminatory act against women.
Several women reporters took to social media to share their experiences, stating they were denied entry at the venue despite following the appropriate dress code. They expressed disappointment, noting that there was no prior indication of such restrictions, and termed the move as unacceptable in a democratic country like India.
Following the backlash, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a clarification, distancing itself from the incident. In an official statement, the MEA said it had no role in the decision to exclude women journalists and that the responsibility lay solely with the event organizers.
The matter also took a political turn, with senior Congress leaders including P. Chidambaram and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticizing the Modi government. Priyanka Gandhi directly questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the treatment of women journalists “unjustifiable and undemocratic.”
Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in India on Thursday for a seven-day visit. On the second day of his stay, he met with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. The two leaders discussed key issues including bilateral trade, humanitarian assistance, and regional security.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Muttaqi assured that Afghan soil would not be used against any other country. He also announced that the Taliban-led government plans to send diplomats to New Delhi soon to move forward in re-establishing formal diplomatic ties. According to him, India has agreed to allow Afghan diplomats, and the selection process for suitable representatives is underway in Kabul.
While this visit was seen as a step toward warming ties between India and Afghanistan, the exclusion of women journalists from the press event has overshadowed the positive developments, raising serious concerns about press freedom and gender equality.
