BJP Counters Rahul Gandhi After Taliban Minister’s Men-Only Press Meet Sparks Political Clash

National News: A heated political fight has started in India after no female journalist was allowed in a press conference by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi. The issue quickly turned into a political slugfest between the BJP and the Congress. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, accused the government of failing to protect women’s rights. They said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence shows weakness and exposes the emptiness of his slogans on women empowerment. Congress leaders demanded clarity from the government. They alleged that allowing such exclusion in India insults women journalists. The controversy has sparked outrage across media and political circles.

Congress attacks Modi over silence

Rahul Gandhi said by permitting such exclusion, the Prime Minister is telling every woman that he is too weak to stand for them. He added that women in India have the right to equal participation in all spaces, and this discrimination is against that spirit. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also raised concern and demanded PM Modi clarify his government’s stand. She said if women’s rights are not just political slogans, then such insult should not have been allowed in India. Both Rahul and Priyanka posted strongly worded statements on X. Their comments connected the issue to Modi’s promises on “Nari Shakti.” Congress leaders painted the event as a serious insult to Indian women.

BJP calls Congress hypocritical

The BJP leaders hit back sharply at Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari called Congress the “best friend of Pakistan” and accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading fake news. He said the Congress was batting for Pakistan by attacking the government over the Taliban issue. Amit Malviya also targeted Congress, pointing to Rajiv Gandhi’s 1986 Shah Bano case decision. He said it is ironic for Rahul and Priyanka to speak on women’s rights when their father overturned a Supreme Court judgment that denied justice to a Muslim woman. The BJP used this example to show that Congress had no moral ground to speak. They said the opposition was only doing politics.

Vienna convention and diplomatic cover

BJP leaders further clarified that the press meet was held at the Afghan embassy in New Delhi. According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, embassy land is inviolable and belongs to the embassy. That means the Indian government had no role in who could attend the event. The decision on invitations was taken by Taliban officials themselves. The External Affairs Ministry later confirmed that India had no involvement. Officials said India had suggested that women journalists should be included, but the final decision was left to the Afghan side. This clarification tried to reduce the heat of the controversy. But the debate in political circles did not calm down.

Taliban’s record on women rights

The row has also brought back global concerns about Taliban’s record on women’s rights. Since taking power in Afghanistan, the Taliban have faced strong criticism from the international community. They have banned women from higher education and restricted their freedom in many areas. Global organizations like the United Nations have condemned these actions. The press conference in New Delhi reminded people of these harsh restrictions. Many observers said it was no surprise that women journalists were excluded. But the fact that it happened in India gave the issue a stronger political angle. It raised questions on how India should handle Taliban representatives.

Political storm in Indian media

The issue dominated Indian media headlines through the day. News channels debated whether the government should have allowed the press conference at all. Congress said that PM Modi’s silence encouraged such discrimination. BJP insisted that the opposition was only using the Taliban issue to score political points. Analysts said the timing of the controversy matters because women’s rights is a key election topic. Social media was full of strong opinions, with many journalists expressing disappointment. The event has now become a symbol of larger battles between the ruling party and the opposition.

What lies ahead in debate

The Taliban Foreign Minister’s visit included talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. India said these discussions were important for regional security. But the controversy over excluding women journalists overshadowed diplomatic details. For the BJP, it was a chance to remind people of Congress’s past record. For Congress, it was an opportunity to attack PM Modi on women’s issues. The political fight is unlikely to end soon. The row shows how sensitive issues around women’s rights can quickly become political battles. As elections approach, both sides are expected to use this controversy in their campaigns.