Exclusion of women journalists from Afghan MEA’s presser

IJU termed incident as Taliban's deeply ingrained patriarchal values

IH News Desk

HYDERABAD/CHANDIGARH, October 11, 2025: The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) strongly condemned the recent exclusion of women journalists from Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's press conference in New Delhi.

In a statement issued Saturday by IJU President K Sreenivas Reddy and Secretary General Balwinder Singh Jammu the union expressed serious concern over the action of Afghan’s  minister saying that it is a stark reminder of the Taliban's deeply ingrained patriarchal values. It's appalling that such discriminatory practices were allowed on Indian soil, where our Constitution guarantees equal rights to men and women.

This incident not only undermines the dignity of women journalists but also compromises India's commitment to gender equality and freedom of the press. The Indian government must take a strong stance against such blatant sexism and ensure that the rights of women are respected and protected, even in diplomatic settings.

The fact that the Taliban's discriminatory policies were given space on Indian soil is particularly concerning, and it's essential for the Indian government to clarify its position on this matter. As a nation that prides itself on being the world's largest democracy, we must uphold our values of equality and justice.

https://indigenousherald.com/