In a concerning development that echoes Afghanistan’s restrictive policies, female journalists were systematically excluded from a diplomatic press event with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi at the Afghan embassy in Delhi. The incident has sparked significant controversy and criticism across India’s political spectrum.
Approximately sixteen male reporters were granted access to Friday’s forum, while women journalists and foreign media representatives were turned away at the embassy gates. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has distanced itself from the controversy, stating it had no role in organizing or coordinating the press interaction.
A Taliban government representative acknowledged the exclusion of female journalists, attributing it to “lack of proper coordination” and promising their inclusion in future events. However, this explanation has done little to quell the growing domestic outcry.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi delivered pointed criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, suggesting that allowing such discrimination on Indian soil sends a troubling message about the government’s commitment to gender equality. The Editors Guild of India has issued a strong condemnation, emphasizing that such discriminatory practices should not be permitted at diplomatic events within India’s borders, regardless of which entity coordinated the gathering.
The controversy overshadows what would otherwise be considered a significant diplomatic development: Minister Muttaqi’s week-long visit coincides with India’s announcement to reopen its embassy in Kabul, which had been shuttered since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
This incident brings into sharp focus the ongoing tensions between international diplomatic engagement and the Taliban’s implementation of restrictive policies based on their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Since assuming control of Afghanistan, the Taliban government has enacted numerous measures that have significantly curtailed the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls.
The situation presents a complex challenge for India’s diplomatic corps, as they balance the strategic necessity of engaging with Afghanistan’s current leadership while maintaining their commitment to democratic values and gender equality. The controversy has prompted calls for the Indian government to establish clear protocols ensuring gender-equitable press access at all diplomatic functions held on Indian territory.
This is not merely a question of media access, but rather a test of India’s commitment to its constitutional principles of equality and its role as a democratic leader in South Asia. As diplomatic relations with Afghanistan continue to evolve, the handling of such incidents will likely shape public perception of India’s foreign policy approach and its stance on fundamental human rights.
