India Distances Itself as Afghan FM Faces Outrage Over ‘Male-Only’ New Delhi Press Meet, Women Journalists Barred
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has firmly denied any involvement in the exclusion of women journalists
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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has firmly denied any involvement in the exclusion of women journalists from the recent press conference conducted by Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, which has triggered widespread criticism and political outrage across India.
MEA Distances Itself from Controversy
The MEA issued a clear statement on Saturday asserting, “MEA had no involvement in the press interaction held yesterday by the Afghan FM in Delhi.” The ministry underlined that the invitations for the press briefing were managed by Afghanistan’s Consul General based in Mumbai, not by any Indian authority. The territory of the Afghan Embassy is outside Indian jurisdiction, further distancing the Indian government from the decision to exclude women journalists.
Details of the Press Briefing
The press conference, following bilateral talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Muttaqi, was organized solely by the Afghan side. Only selected male journalists and Afghan embassy officials attended, while several women journalists reported being explicitly refused entry despite adhering to all required protocols. No joint briefing with the MEA was held.
Political and Public Outrage
The decision to bar women journalists provoked sharp criticism from opposition leaders and media rights advocates nationwide. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi issue a public clarification, describing the incident as “an insult to India’s women journalists.” Other leaders like P Chidambaram and Mahua Moitra condemned both the Afghan delegation’s move and the perceived silence of Indian authorities on the matter. There were also calls for male journalists to walk out in solidarity with their excluded female colleagues.
Context of Women's Rights Under Taliban Rule
Critics highlighted the episode as an extension of the Taliban government’s widely criticized policies of systematic exclusion and oppression of women in Afghanistan, a stance recently condemned by the United Nations. The exclusion of women journalists in India was seen as a troubling export of these practices.
Key Quotes
MEA: “MEA had no involvement in the press interaction held yesterday by the Afghan FM in Delhi.”
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi 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… How has this insult to some of India’s most competent women been allowed in our country, a country whose women are its backbone and its pride?”.
This incident has reignited debate about women’s rights, press freedom, and protocol for foreign diplomatic events hosted in India.
