Clarification from Darul Uloom Deoband on Women Journalists’ Attendance
The Darul Uloom Deoband has publicly asserted that there were no directives barring women journalists from covering the visit of Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to the seminary. The seminary’s spokesperson, Ashraf Usmani, told PTI that attendance decisions were not restricted by the Afghan Foreign Minister’s office and that the controversy surrounding the presence of women reporters was unfounded.
Usmani, who also serves as the media-in-charge for Mr. Muttaqi’s visit, emphasized that the programme was organized by the seminary itself and that there was no requirement for women journalists to be kept away. He noted that a couple of women journalists did attend the event, countering photos and reports suggesting an all-male gathering.
Event Context and Why It Became Controversial
The clarification comes after a controversy over the absence of female journalists at a press conference the previous day in New Delhi, where the Afghan minister addressed media representatives. The incident drew sharp criticism from political observers and bodies such as the Editors Guild of India and the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC), who deemed the lack of female representation discriminatory and not justifiable on diplomatic grounds.
While the press conference was organized independently of Deoband’s programme, the discourse touched broader debates about women’s rights under the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, which has faced international scrutiny for restrictive policies toward women.
What Usmani Said About the Day’s Schedule
According to Usmani, today’s Deoband event proceeded smoothly with arrangements for media coverage. He confirmed that the seating for women reporters was organized alongside their male counterparts and stated that there was no curtain or purdah at the venue. He also described an unexpected rush of media at the guest house during the Afghan minister’s lunch, which led to a quick interaction before Mr. Muttaqi departed for Delhi.
Usmani suggested that overcrowding and security concerns forced the public event to be called off at the last moment, but stressed that the presence of women journalists at the venue had already occurred, effectively refuting claims of a blanket ban.
Responses from Other Stakeholders
Maulana Arshad Madani, president of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, commented on Friday’s press conference, indicating that it was not a denial of access to women but rather a coincidence of attendance. He termed the assertion that women had been barred as propaganda and inconsistencies in reporting around the visit.
Analysts say the incident highlights ongoing global conversations about press access, religious institutions, and the evolving media landscape in South Asia. While diplomatic privileges and security considerations can influence event formats, the core issue remains ensuring fair access to media across genders.
Takeaways for Future Coverage
– Transparency: Institutions hosting high-profile visits should provide clear attendance policies for media ahead of events.
– Equal access: Newsrooms and media bodies advocate for gender-inclusive coverage, especially in diplomacy-oriented settings.
– Context: Coverage should distinguish between organizational decisions of venues and broader political narratives surrounding a country’s governance and rights issues.
Conclusion
As the discourse around women’s participation in media interactions with visiting foreign ministers continues, the Deoband clarification reinforces that there were no directives to exclude women reporters. The incident underscores the need for explicit, consistent guidelines on media access that align with contemporary standards of press freedom and gender equality, while acknowledging security and logistical realities that events face.
