women journalists controversy
Javed Akhtar Condemns Reception of Taliban Minister in India: Controversy Over Diplomatic Visit
Oct 14, 2025 11:35 am CST
Renowned screenwriter Javed Akhtar publicly criticized the warm welcome given to Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during his historic six-day visit to India. The controversy escalated when women journalists were initially excluded from press interactions, prompting widespread criticism from opposition leaders and press organizations. This marks the first official visit by a Taliban representative since the group took power in Afghanistan in 2021, raising questions about India's diplomatic approach toward the unrecognized Taliban government.
Afghan Minister Explains "Technical Issue" Behind Women Journalists' Exclusion From Press Conference
Oct 12, 2025 06:32 pm CST
Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi addressed the controversy surrounding the exclusion of female journalists from his embassy press conference, calling it a "technical issue" rather than deliberate discrimination. The incident sparked widespread criticism from Indian politicians and press organizations, highlighting tensions between diplomatic relations and women's rights concerns under Taliban rule. The Afghan minister also defended his government's position on women's education, claiming restrictions were temporary rather than religiously forbidden.