BJP taking credit for triple talaq is a political gimmick: Muslim women’s group
Say such statements results in further polarisation within the community
Muslim women’s rights activist, who petitioned for cancellation of triple talaq, condemned the statements made by leaders of the ruling party and said that it leads to polarisation of the community. The group also questioned the motives of BJP to issue such statements ahead of Gujarat assembly polls, calling it “unabashed manipulation” to strengthen its image to win the elections.
This disapproval comes in the wake of a statement made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy last week, wherein he said Muslims voted for the political party in Uttar Pradesh because women of the community felt it was only the BJP who could save them from triple talaq.
“We approached Supreme Court demanding justice for women. We didn’t knock at the doors of any political party. How are they claiming that they are the Messiah of the community,” said Hasina Khan, founder, Bebaak Collective.
Khan added that such statements portray as if leadership of Muslim women is aligned with the agenda of the government, which results in further polarisation within the community.
“BJP’s constant reference to the violent and gender discriminatory practice of triple talaq seems to feed into the imagination that the Muslim community is conservative and violent, which creates factions within the community,” Khan added.
The Supreme Court on August 22 struck down the practice of instant triple talaq calling it unconstitutional, and asked the Parliament to pass a law within six months.
The group added that if the government was really concerned about the welfare of Muslim women then it should work on passing the law quickly rather than making such statements.
A few Muslim groups met the commissioner of police last month and requested him to make provisions to try cases of instant triple talaq under the Domestic Violence Act until a new law was enacted to deal with such incidents.