After uproar, Afghanistan Foreign Min Muttaqi calls another press meet, invites women journalists
Report
New Delhi: In response to widespread criticism over exclusion of women journalists from an earlier press conference, visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has called for a second press interaction on Sunday, this time inviting female journalists, as reported by The Indian Express.
Muttaqi, who arrived in New Delhi for a week-long visit on Friday, faced backlash after women journalists were reportedly not allowed to attend, prompting accusations of gender discrimination.
The Editors Guild of India and the Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC) strongly condemned the exclusion. Both organisations labelled the incident as highly discriminatory, with the Guild emphasising that while diplomatic events may be protected under the Vienna Convention, they do not justify gender-based restrictions in media access on Indian soil.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified on Saturday that it had no involvement in the press conference.
“Whether or not the MEA coordinated the event, it is deeply troubling that such a discriminatory exclusion was allowed to proceed without objection,” the Guild said in a statement.
The IWPC has urged the Government of India to raise the issue with the Afghan Embassy to ensure that such gender-based exclusions are not repeated in future media briefings.
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Regret participating in 'movement' that vilified ex-PM Manmohan Singh: Prashant Bhushan
New Delhi: Senior advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan has expressed regret over his past role in political movements that, he said, contributed to the vilification of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Bhushan made the remarks in a post on social media on the first death anniversary of Manmohan Singh.
In his post, Bhushan described Manmohan Singh as “a humble, decent, well educated and well meaning man,” adding that the former prime minister’s humility and decency were “seen as a weakness.” He said he regretted having participated in a movement that helped discredit Singh and, in his words, “helped a rogue regime come to power.”
Bhushan’s statement is widely seen as a reference to the anti-corruption movement that gained momentum during the second United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, when Manmohan Singh was prime minister. The movement, led by civil society activists, had targeted corruption allegations against the government and eventually reshaped India’s political landscape. Critics have since argued that the campaign contributed to undermining Singh’s leadership and paved the way for a change in government at the Centre.
Manmohan Singh, who served as prime minister from 2004 to 2014, was known for his low-profile style, technocratic approach and role in shaping India’s economic reforms.
He was a humble, decent, well educated & well meaning man. His humility & decency was seen as a weakness.
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) December 26, 2025
I regret having participated in a movement that vilified him & helped a rogue regime come to power pic.twitter.com/6JWOrdCZdE
