Ban on triple talaq to boost BJP image

New Delhi: If triple talaq is banned, it would be a major victory for the BJP, which has been energetically campaigning against it. The party’s strategists feel that the move has already made BJP closer to the Muslim women and consolidated the support of it’s core constituency — Hindutva vote across the vote bank. Minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday asserted that triple talaq “was not a religious issue but related to social ills” and that the debate on the issue would have a “positive bearing on the (Muslim) community and the country.” Mr Naqvi also said that the Modi government, which will be  completing three years later this month, has zero tolerance for communal incident and its policies are aimed at providing “empowerment (to minorities) without appeasement.” He also listed various achievements of his ministry in last three years and also announced that the government would launch ‘Tehreek-E-Taalim (campaign for education)’ on the birth anniversary of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on October 15.

Meanwhile, several organisations voiced their opinion on the issue even as the Supreme Court on Thursday began hearing petitions challenging triple talaq, saying it would examine whether the practice was an enforceable fundamental right. “Time has now come to decide whether Prophet’s Islam will reign supreme or the Islam of a selected few mullahs,” said All India Shia Personal Law Board spokesperson Maulana Yasoob Abbas.

He added that many Muslim countries have “already put an end to the practice as it is directly linked to the lives of Muslim women” and in the Shia community, there has been no place for triple talaq in one go.

President, All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB), Shaista Amber said the apex court’s comment on enforceable fundamental right was historic and its decision will “definitely benefit Muslim women and uphold their dignity”.

However, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) President Navaid Hamid  claimed that the issue is religious as the practise is a part of Islam and the petitions against it are politically motivated.     

While asserting that triple talaq is part of Muslim personal law, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) member  Zafaryab Jilani also said that its misuse is a sin.