Photos from the Delhi event showed only male journalists present, triggering outrage across India’s media and political circles.ritics say India’s decision to host Muttaqi with full protocol—despite his regime’s record on women’s rights—undermines the country’s democratic and egalitarian values.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, October 10: No women journalists were invited to the press conference of Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on Friday, sparking widespread outrage over what many have described as the Taliban’s blatant gender discrimination—this time playing out on Indian soil.
The press interaction followed meetings between Muttaqi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, where the two reportedly discussed trade, humanitarian assistance, and security cooperation. However, photographs from the event told another story—rows of male reporters and officials filled the room, with Taliban representatives addressing a men-only audience.
The exclusion triggered a wave of criticism from Indian journalists, political figures, and social media users, who called the move a direct insult to India’s democratic ethos and commitment to gender equality.
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Prominent journalist Smita Sharma posted on X: “No woman journalist invited to the press conference by Muttaqi. No reference to the plight of Afghan girls and women under the Taliban regime in EAM Jaishankar’s opening remarks or the joint statement. Muttaqi gets a red carpet welcome in a country that prides itself on women achievers. World politics today.”
This is outrageous and blood boiling stuff from MEA
No women journalist was allowed in India Taliban bilateral meet 🤦♂️
Will any sanghi agitate against Jaishankar and Randhir Jaiswal? pic.twitter.com/Ndysr5Tk2j
— Amock_ (@Amockx2022) October 10, 2025
Geeta Mohan of India Today echoed the sentiment: “Women journalists were not invited to the press conference of Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Unacceptable.”
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed questioned the government’s silence: “Who are they to dictate terms on our soil and impose their discriminatory agenda against women?”
Journalist Rema Nagarajan wrote: “What a shame to capitulate to Taliban’s demands—no women journalists invited to the press conference. Why? Because those women haters laid down that as a condition?”
Senior journalist Nayanima Basu expressed disbelief: “Right under the Indian government’s nose, in the heart of the capital, the Afghan Foreign Minister holds a press conference intentionally excluding female journalists. How can this be allowed? Who approved such an outrageous disregard for representation?”
Right under the Indian government’s nose, in the heart of the capital city, the Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi holds a press conference, intentionally excluding any female journalists. How can this be allowed? Who approved such an outrageous disregard for representation? https://t.co/Me8mt5WtTQ
— Nayanima Basu (@NayanimaBasu) October 10, 2025
The Taliban, notorious for its systemic repression of women’s rights, has banned Afghan women from attending schools, working in most professions, and participating in public life.
Veteran journalist Suhasini Haidar criticised New Delhi’s decision to accord full protocol to the visiting delegation:
“What’s even more ridiculous is that the Taliban FM is allowed to bring their abhorrent discrimination against women to India. This isn’t pragmatism, it’s supplication.”
Muttaqi’s visit marks the first official trip by a Taliban minister to India since the group seized power in 2021, toppling Afghanistan’s elected government. Since then, the country has witnessed what the United Nations has called the world’s most severe women’s rights crisis.
In July, the UN denounced the Taliban’s “grave, worsening, widespread, and systematic oppression” of Afghan women and girls, urging the regime to reverse its bans on education, employment, and public participation.
