‘Hang my head in shame’: Javed Akhtar on Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi’s reverent treatment in India

Akhtar also came down heavily on Darul Uloom Deoband, one of the most influential Islamic seminaries in South Asia, for hosting the Taliban minister. “Shame on Deoband too for giving such a reverent welcome to their “Islamic Hero” who is one of those who have completely banned girls education. My Indian brothers n sisters !!! what is happening to us.”

Akhtar was referring to the restrictions imposed upon girls and women in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime, which includes ban on obtaining education beyond the sixth grade, and seeking employment. They are also required to wear full veils and avoid speaking in public.

Muttaqi paid a visit to Deoband in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur on Saturday, and met senior clerics, scholars and administrators of the institution. He also expressed his gratitude for the “grand welcome and affection” extended to him by people at Deoband. “I am thankful for such a grand welcome and the affection shown by the people here. I hope that India-Afghanistan ties advance further. We will be sending new diplomats, and I hope you people will visit Kabul as well. I have hopes for stronger ties in the future – from the way I was received in Delhi, these visits may be frequent in the near future,” Muttaqi told PTI.

On the first day of his visit, the Afghan minister restricted all women journalists from attending his press conference at the Afghan Embassy in Delhi, sparking outrage from Opposition political leaders and journalist groups about the discriminatory behaviour.

In the absence of women journalists from the room, when asked about women’s rights being violated in Afghanistan, he said it was all part of a “propaganda”. “It is all propaganda. We have the Shariah there and everybody has rights. Each country has its own traditions and customs,” he said.

Responding to the discriminatory treatment, the Ministry of External Affairs said Saturday it had “no involvement” in the press interaction and some officials claimed they had even suggested to the Afghan side that women journalists should be part of the invitees.

Later, Muttaqi described the exclusion to be “more a technical issue and no other problems.” He also called in another press conference, this time, inviting women journalists, following the nationwide uproar.

This is the first visit from any top Taliban official to India, marking a seismic shift, as Delhi engaged with the Taliban, burying past hostilities and the ghost of the IC-814 hijack.

Muttaqi met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on October 9 as a first step towards normalising diplomatic ties between the two, wherein India underlined it would upgrade its “technical mission” in Kabul to the status of an embassy.

Muttaqi, on his part, has said Kabul will send diplomats to India as part of step-by-step efforts to improve bilateral relations.

In March this year, the United Nations Security Council strongly condemned terrorist activities in Afghanistan and called for more efforts to tackle the country’s severe economic and humanitarian crisis.

The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021 after US and NATO forces withdrew following 20 years of war. However, no country, including India, recognises them as the official government due to their harsh policies against women.

From the homepage

Sonam Wangchuk indulging in activities ‘prejudicial to national security’: Leh administration to Supreme Court

Delhi News Live Updates: AQI in Delhi turns poor, first stage restrictions under GRAP activated

After World Bank, IMF also cuts India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast by 20 bps