Controversy Over the Welcome for Taliban Minister in Delhi
Poet, lyricist, and screenwriter Javed Akhtar sparked a fierce online debate after denouncing the reception given to Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during his visit to New Delhi. Muttaqi is in India on a six-day trip—the first such visit by a Taliban leader since the hardline group seized control of Afghanistan in 2021. Akhtar’s remarks, posted on X (formerly Twitter), accused those hosting the minister of praising the world’s “worst terrorist group.”
The controversy quickly highlighted tensions between India’s diplomatic posture toward Afghanistan and the reactions of prominent voices within Indian civil society. Akhtar wrote that he “hangs his head in shame” at the reverence accorded to a representative of the Taliban by audiences and institutions at home.
The Core of Akhtar’s Critique
At the heart of Akhtar’s critique is a concern for consistency in India’s public stance against terrorism and its domestic political narratives. He pointed to the reception extended to Muttaqi as a symbol of what he described as a disconnect between India’s rhetoric against extremism and the actions of some who welcome Taliban officials as guests or partners. Akhtar singled out the Deoband seminary in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, saying its “reverent welcome” to Muttaqi is an affront to those who advocate for progressive education and women’s rights in Afghanistan and beyond.
Reaction from Rights Groups and Critics
Beyond Akhtar, other critics, including women’s rights advocates and journalists, noted that Muttaqi’s visit was marred by optics that seemed to sideline inclusivity. Earlier events tied to the trip drew condemnation after a press briefing with Muttaqi featured no women journalists. Critics argued that such exclusions reflect broader challenges in Afghan governance under the Taliban and complicate India’s efforts to present a balanced, humanitarian-facing policy toward Afghanistan.
Political Ramifications and Domestic Debate
Mehbooba Mufti, leader of the PDP, joined the discourse by accusing the ruling BJP of internal hypocrisy—embracing Taliban while vilifying Muslims at home. In her view, India’s outreach to Afghanistan must be carefully calibrated, balancing strategic interests with the protection of minority rights and democratic values. Her comments underline a broader debate in Indian politics about how to engage with Afghanistan’s new reality while safeguarding civil liberties for India’s own diverse population.
Context: India-Afghanistan Ties and the Taliban Visit
India has historically supported Afghanistan through development aid, education, and infrastructure projects. The current visit comes as New Delhi seeks to upgrade relations with Kabul in certain domains, even as it remains publicly cautious about the Taliban’s governance and its implications for regional security. The presence of a Taliban minister in Delhi signals a nuanced phase in the bilateral relationship, prompting observers to weigh diplomatic pragmatism against concerns about human rights and women’s education in Afghanistan.
What This Means for Public Discourse
The episode underscores how diplomatic engagements can become flashpoints for domestic debates about national identity, secularism, and the role of religious and cultural institutions in modern India. Akhtar’s comments reflect a broader anxiety among many Indians about endorsing representations of groups widely viewed as linked to terrorism, while others argue for pragmatic engagement to influence Afghanistan’s trajectory from within the diplomatic framework.
Looking Ahead
As Muttaqi’s visit continues, the Indian public and international observers will watch for how Delhi articulates its policy toward Afghanistan and how it balances strategic interests with commitments to education, women’s rights, and minority protections. The reactions to the reception will likely influence ongoing debates about secularism, free speech, and the appropriate limits of political criticism in a plural democracy.
