New Delhi- The Editors Guild of India has strongly condemned the exclusion of women journalists from a press conference held by Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

The press conference took place on Friday, October 10, at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi and was meant to address diplomatic and bilateral engagements during Mr. Muttaqi’s visit to India.

Numerous women journalists who arrived at the Afghan Embassy were denied entry to the press conference, even some who had invitations or adhered to dress codes. The event was exclusively attended by a handful of selected male journalists and Afghan embassy officials.

The decision to exclude women was reportedly made by the Taliban officials accompanying the Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi. An Afghan spokesperson later suggested that the exclusion was due to a "lack of proper coordination" and that women would be invited to future events, a claim met with skepticism given the Taliban's record in Afghanistan.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that it had "no role to play" in the press conference's logistics or the invitee list, as it was a separate event organized solely by the Afghan side at their embassy. The Indian side had, however, reportedly suggested the inclusion of women journalists.

The incident drew sharp criticism from Indian journalists, media bodies and opposition political leaders, who called it an "insult" to Indian women and press freedom on Indian soil.

In a statement dated October 11, the Editors Guild of India said that while diplomatic premises may claim protection under the Vienna Convention, that cannot justify "blatant gender discrimination in press access on Indian soil."

The Guild stated that whether or not the Ministry of External Affairs coordinated the event, it is "deeply troubling that such a discriminatory exclusion was allowed to proceed without objection." It also noted that "the absence of solidarity in pointing this discriminatory practice at the event signals a troubling complacency in our community."

The Editors Guild of India urged the Government of India to publicly reaffirm that press access at diplomatic events held in India must respect gender equity. It also called upon journalist colleagues and media houses to "reflect on this lapse and adopt a zero-tolerance stand against any kind of discriminatory exclusion of anyone at a press event."

The statement concluded that "a free and inclusive press must defend representation, not enable exclusion."

The statement was signed by Anant Nath, President; Ruben Banerjee, General Secretary; and K Ve Prasad, Treasurer of the Editors Guild of India.