Fury as Taliban bars women from press event in India

The Taliban reportedly barred women journalists from attending a press event of visiting Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in India, drawing anger from a wide section of Indian reporters, activists, and politicians.

- ARPAN RAI

The women journalists, including this reporter for The Independent, who had gathered outside the Afghanistan embassy in Delhi on Friday, were stopped by the security staff and Delhi Police officials from attending the event despite multiple requests.

India is hosting the Taliban’s interim foreign minister during a high-profile but controversial visit as it seeks to upgrade its diplomatic ties with Afghanistan’s hardline Islamist regime. Mr Muttaqi, a UN-sanctioned official, addressed a male-only gathering of press at Afghanistan’s embassy in the lush diplomatic enclave in the heart of the Indian capital.

Following the withdrawal of US-led Nato forces from war-torn Afghanistan four years ago, India was forced to operate the embassy in New Delhi in a restricted manner as it has not formally recognised the Taliban group. The embassy was reopened for the first-ever diplomatic visit by the Taliban minister on Thursday.

Following a social media backlash, India’s Ministry of External Affairs claimed yesterday it was not involved in the press event held on Friday by the visiting Afghanistan minister. The women present at the embassy had adhered to the conservative dress code imposed by the Taliban in Afghanistan and many were seen with scarves covering their hair.

The Taliban's enforcement of Sharia rule in Afghanistan has been the main roadblock to their international recognition. Their restrictions on women and girls and freedom of expression have drawn criticism from rights groups and foreign governments since the former insurgents resumed control of Afghanistan in 2021.

On Friday, in response to a question on the Taliban curtailing the rights of Afghan girls and women, Mr Muttaqi claimed it was "all part of a propaganda".