Amir Khan Muttaqi: Row Erupts as Afghan Minister Bans Women Journalists from Delhi Press Conference; Priyanka Gandhi Questions PM

A significant controversy has erupted following reports that female journalists were barred from attending a press conference by Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Delhi on Friday. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sharply questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking how some of India's most capable women were subjected to such disrespect within the country, especially when women are the backbone and pride of the nation.

MEA Clarifies Its Stance

As the controversy escalated, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that it had no role in organizing the Afghan Foreign Minister's press conference or in inviting journalists, while the MEA stated that the press conference took place at the Afghan Embassy, which falls outside the Indian government's jurisdiction. It was the Afghan Council General in Mumbai who extended invitations to select journalists on October 10. Muttaqi is on an India visit from October 9 to 16. He held bilateral talks with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, but no joint press conference was held afterwards. Muttaqi later addressed the media alone at the Afghan Embassy. However, only selected male journalists and embassy officials were allowed to attend. Several female journalists took to social media, claiming they were denied entry.

Taliban's Restrictions and Opposition Outcry

Media reports suggest that Taliban officials accompanying Muttaqi decided who would attend the press conference. This incident brings to light the Taliban's stringent restrictions on women in Afghanistan since their takeover on August 15, 2021, which include bans on schooling, public speaking, unveiling faces, and participation in sports. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, P, while chidambaram, and Mahua Moitra, also criticized the incident, with Rahul Gandhi stating it exposed the hollowness of PM Modi's "Nari Shakti" slogans.