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New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Saturday attacked the Center for allowing Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki to hold a press conference in Delhi in which women journalists were reportedly not allowed to attend, calling it a “disgraceful” act that goes against India’s values.
Muttaqi, a senior leader of the Taliban government, is known for overseeing policies that severely restrict women’s rights in Afghanistan, including restrictions on employment and education.
India has maintained a cautious approach towards engaging with the Taliban due to its human rights record and concerns about Afghanistan becoming a haven for terrorist groups.
Moitra expressed her anger on
He also attacked the Foreign Ministry for providing diplomatic courtesy to the Taliban delegation.
He said, “The Indian External Affairs Ministry has rolled out the red carpet for this man, this Taliban foreign minister, who has the audacity to ask to remove women from the room where he is holding a press conference, and we are giving official status to this delegation and providing them protocols.”
Moitra also targeted the journalists who attended the press briefing, accusing them of remaining silent against discrimination.
She commented, “Not every male journalist attending this press conference said a word of protest. Are you weak? Are you spineless? I’m asking all the journalists in that room – male journalists.”
Calling the incident a national shame, Moitra said, “It is extremely insulting to the women of India that our government has been a willing participant and has used taxpayers’ money to finance this practice. Women journalists have been asked to leave the room. What is happening?”
Criticizing the government, she said, “You are talking about ‘Beti Bachao’, about women in India, about ‘masses’ and ‘sisters’ and all this. You are, at the taxpayers’ expense, providing official protocol and red carpet for a government delegation, which is actually on Indian soil, disrespecting our values and asking women to leave the room.”
He concluded his statement by urging citizens to pay attention to the incident and demand accountability.
She said, “I hope I am not alone in feeling this outrage. I hope every woman in this country knows about this, feels outrage and asks some questions to our government.”
–IANS
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