Taliban Gender Policy Sparks Outrage as Women Journalists Barred From Muttaqi Press Meet in India

National News: Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is currently on a seven-day official visit to India. On Friday, he held talks with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss bilateral relations, followed by a press conference that sparked controversy after women journalists were barred from attending. Muttaqi, a senior member of the Taliban government, represents a regime widely criticized for its strict restrictions on women and their participation in the workforce.

Meeting Between India and Afghanistan Officials

Muttaqi arrived in India on Thursday and held talks with S. Jaishankar on Friday. The meeting was seen as an important step in improving relations between the two countries. India announced that its technical mission in Kabul would be upgraded to an embassy, a move welcomed by the Afghan minister. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s support for Afghanistan’s health, disaster relief, and reconstruction efforts. In return, Muttaqi assured India that Afghanistan’s land would not be used by any group against New Delhi’s interests. Jaishankar added that India remains fully committed to Afghanistan’s sovereignty and independence.

Anger Over Ban on Women Journalists

However, later in the day, a press conference held by Muttaqi at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi became controversial after women journalists were denied entry. Many reporters expressed anger on social media, saying that all female journalists had followed the dress code. Several users also questioned the reason behind this discrimination.
During the event, about 20 journalists were present, but none were women. Reports said that the Taliban officials accompanying Muttaqi decided who could attend. Indian officials had suggested that all journalists, including women, be allowed to take part for equal representation, but that was not followed.

Decline in Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

Such exclusion of women journalists is rare in New Delhi. It remains unclear whether the Taliban had informed Indian officials in advance about this restriction. Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the rights of women and girls have sharply declined. Most of the rights earlier granted by elected governments have almost disappeared.
According to the United Nations, Afghan women are now facing job bans and cannot access many services without a male relative. Girls have also been stopped from attending schools and universities.

Muttaqi’s Response and Remarks on Terrorism

During the press conference, Muttaqi appeared calm and answered all questions in Urdu. The conference hall had pictures of the sixth-century Buddha statues of Bamiyan monuments that were destroyed under Taliban rule by Mullah Omar’s orders. When asked about the treatment of women in Afghanistan, Muttaqi said that before the Taliban took power on August 15, 2021, around 200 to 400 people used to die every day. He claimed that in the last four years, there had been no major violence, and everyone now enjoys their rights. He said that every country has its own laws and traditions, and Afghanistan follows its own principles. Muttaqi also stated that groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed have no presence in Afghanistan and urged Pakistan to act similarly. Without naming Pakistan directly, he said no part of Afghan land is under the control of such groups. He added that other countries should also act against terrorism for peace.
Blaming Pakistan for a recent attack, Muttaqi said peace in Afghanistan should not bother anyone. He added that Afghanistan considers India a close friend and seeks relations based on mutual respect, trade, and people-to-people connection.