Female reporters denied entry to Taliban’s Amir Khan Muttaqi press conference in New Delhi; Opposition, journalists, and rights groups slam discriminatory move while India distances itself from the controversy.
Location: New Delhi | Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Women Journalists Barred at Taliban Press Conference in Delhi
A press conference by Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on Friday has triggered nationwide outrage after female journalists were barred from attending. The Taliban-led delegation’s event, held at a private venue in the capital, reportedly restricted access exclusively to male reporters — a move widely condemned as discriminatory, undemocratic, and unacceptable on Indian soil.
Multiple journalists from national and international media organizations stated that women were explicitly stopped at the entrance. Several shared images and videos showing female reporters waiting outside while their male colleagues were allowed to enter.
“This is completely unacceptable. In India, no event should be permitted that discriminates based on gender,” said one senior journalist from a leading English daily.
The incident immediately drew widespread criticism from across political parties, media bodies, and rights organizations, accusing the Taliban delegation of exporting its regressive gender norms to India.
MEA Distances Itself from Taliban Delegation’s Event
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a swift clarification following the backlash, asserting that the Government of India had no role in organizing or facilitating the Taliban minister’s press conference.
“India was not involved in arranging this event. The Afghan delegation conducted its own interactions, and the Government of India was neither associated with nor supportive of such proceedings,” said an MEA spokesperson in a brief statement.
Officials emphasized that India continues to maintain a policy of “no formal recognition” of the Taliban regime, and its engagement with Afghanistan remains limited to humanitarian and developmental assistance.
The statement was intended to shield India from diplomatic criticism amid growing questions about how such an event—denying entry to Indian women journalists—was permitted in the capital.
Political Leaders Slam Taliban’s Gender Exclusion
Leading political figures reacted strongly, calling the incident a blot on India’s democratic image.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“How can the Government of India allow an event that bars women journalists? This goes against everything our Constitution stands for. The Prime Minister must clarify if this is his version of Nari Shakti.”
TMC MP Mahua Moitra demanded accountability from the External Affairs Minister, questioning how the Taliban could “dictate terms on Indian soil.”
Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram urged male journalists to show solidarity by walking out, stating, “The least our male colleagues could have done was to refuse to participate in a gender-discriminatory event.”
Women’s rights groups including the Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC) and the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) condemned the incident, calling it a “direct insult to the principles of equality and free press.”
Journalists Demand Accountability and Guidelines
The exclusion has reignited a debate on press freedom and gender equality within India’s journalistic community. Prominent editors and anchors took to social media to demand clear protocols for foreign delegations conducting media interactions in the country.
“India must ensure that any press event held within its jurisdiction — regardless of who hosts it — complies with Indian laws of equality and non-discrimination,” said senior journalist Nidhi Rao.
Others pointed out the irony of the incident coinciding with India’s ongoing government campaigns promoting ‘Nari Shakti’ (Women Empowerment) and gender-inclusive governance.
Media analysts noted that such controversies could harm India’s global reputation as a democratic nation committed to gender justice.
Broader Diplomatic Context: India’s Tightrope with the Taliban
The incident also sheds light on India’s delicate diplomatic balancing act with the Taliban. Since the group’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, India has engaged with Taliban representatives for humanitarian coordination but has not extended formal recognition.
Analysts say the press meet was part of the Taliban’s ongoing efforts to seek regional legitimacy, using neutral venues like India to project international engagement.
“While the MEA may not have organized the event, the optics of a Taliban minister addressing Indian journalists — while excluding women — send a troubling message,” said Dr. Shivani Kapoor, a South Asia affairs expert.
According to her, the event highlights how India must navigate between strategic diplomacy and its foundational democratic values, especially on issues of women’s rights.
Global Condemnation and Online Backlash
International human rights organizations also weighed in. Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) criticized the Taliban’s actions, calling the exclusion of women journalists “a global affront to media freedom.”
Social media platforms witnessed an outpouring of anger under hashtags such as #StandWithWomenJournalists, #TalibanInDelhi, and #PressFreedom. Thousands of users, including international correspondents, demanded that India take a firm stand against gender-based exclusion.
Many also questioned why venue authorities and Indian law enforcement allowed such discriminatory entry conditions to be enforced in the first place.
Women’s Rights Groups Call It “A Dark Day for Press Freedom”
Women’s collectives across India expressed deep concern, terming the incident a dark day for press freedom.
“This is not just about one event; it’s about what it represents. When women journalists are sidelined in the capital of the world’s largest democracy, it signals a dangerous normalization of inequality,” read a joint statement from the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI).
They urged the MEA and the Press Information Bureau (PIB) to introduce strict guidelines ensuring gender parity and freedom of access at all future international press interactions held in India.
What This Means for India’s Global Image
For India — which consistently promotes its image as a progressive democracy and global advocate of women’s rights — the visuals of female journalists being stopped outside a Taliban press event are deeply damaging.
Experts warn that even indirect association with such discriminatory practices could undermine India’s soft power diplomacy, particularly at a time when New Delhi champions women-led development on global platforms like the G20 and the UN.
“India must reaffirm that its soil will never be used to validate discrimination of any kind. Freedom of the press and gender equality are not negotiable values,” said policy commentator Rajeev Menon.
The Road Ahead
The incident has sparked fresh conversations within India’s diplomatic and media circles about setting ethical and procedural safeguards when hosting foreign delegations, particularly those from regimes with questionable human rights records.
While the MEA’s distancing statement may ease immediate diplomatic tension, the public outrage underscores a more profound truth — that gender equality and media freedom remain non-negotiable pillars of democracy.
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