New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday supported Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s criticism of the Central government over the recent press conference held by Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Delhi, where women journalists were reportedly not allowed to participate.

What sparked the criticism?

Amir Khan Muttaqi, a senior leader in the Taliban government, is known for implementing policies that severely restrict women’s rights in Afghanistan, including bans on employment and education.

India has maintained a cautious approach in its dealings with the Taliban, considering its record on human rights and concerns over Afghanistan becoming a hub for terror groups.

What did Rahul Gandhi say?

Reposting Priyanka Gandhi’s message on X, Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to stand up for women’s rights. “Mr Modi, when you allow the exclusion of women journalists from a public forum, you are telling every woman in India that you are too weak to stand up for them,” he wrote.

He added that Indian women have the right to equality in every sphere and criticised the government’s silence on the matter. “In our country, women have the right to equal participation in every space. Your silence in the face of such discrimination exposes the emptiness of your slogans on Nari Shakti,” the Leader of Opposition said.

What did Priyanka Gandhi say?

Earlier, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had questioned the Central government’s stance on women’s empowerment, calling the exclusion of women journalists from the press conference an insult.

In her post on X, she wrote, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi, please clarify your position on the removal of female journalists from the press conference of the representative of the Taliban on his visit to India.”

She further stated, “If your recognition of women's rights isn't just convenient posturing from one election to the other, then how has this insult to some of India's most competent women been allowed in our country, a country whose women are its backbone and its pride.”

What was the Centre’s response?

The Central government denied having any role in the reported exclusion of women journalists from the event.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that the invitations for the press meet were sent by Afghanistan’s Consul General in Mumbai to select Delhi-based journalists for the Afghan minister’s visit. NDTV reported that the MEA pointed out that the Afghan Embassy premises do not fall under the Indian government’s jurisdiction.

IANS inputs