Taliban Minister’s Delhi Press Event Bans Women Reporters, Draws Outrage

DID Press: A press conference by Taliban Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi was held without any female journalists, drawing widespread criticism from Indian opposition parties and sparked public outrage over the government’s silence.

The event, held on Friday, admitted only male reporters. Opposition leaders and social media users condemned the decision, calling it an example of the Taliban’s gender discrimination and a humiliation for Indian women.

Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena Party said no female journalists were invited due to “Taliban beliefs,” comparing the move to the group’s destruction of Bamyan Buddhas as a symbol of broader restrictions on women’s rights in Afghanistan and the region.

Supriya Shrinate of the Congress Party questioned why the Indian government had agreed to the Taliban’s “men-only” demand, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urged PM Narendra Modi to take a clear stance on the issue.

On the same day, Muttaqi met with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, after which India announced plans to reopen its embassy in Kabul and continue humanitarian food aid to Afghanistan.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not issued any statement in response to the criticism.

Muttaqi’s visit to India was made under a UN Security Council travel exemption, following his recent participation in Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan.