Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath appeared on Monday to compare the “silence” over the Islamic practice of triple talaq to the disrobing of Draupadi in the Mahabharata epic.
Speaking at an event in Lucknow, the 44-year-old said anyone who remained quiet and didn’t oppose the custom -- under which a Muslim man can divorce his wife by pronouncing the word talaq (divorce) thrice – was as guilty as those practising it.
“A debate is going on now a days and the silence on the issue reminds me of Draupadi’s chir haran (disrobing),” Adityanath said, alluding to the custom that many say is loaded against women.
Adityanath’s comments come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked party workers to stand by Muslim women who want to fight triple talaq, saying dignity was guaranteed to all under the Constitution.
Last October, the Centre opposed the practice in the Supreme Court, the first time a government has taken a stand on an issue that divides the Muslim community.