NEW DELHI: Joining the nationwide debate on triple talaq issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged the Muslim community not to view the issue from a political perspective, while expressing confidence that efforts to end the practice would be led by "enlightened" members of the community.
PM expressed confidence that reformers would emerge from within the Muslim community itself, to put an end to the pain suffered by some Muslim women, because of the practice of “triple talaq.”
The Prime minister’s reaction was in addition to his government’s broader agenda of supporting anti-triple talaq movement, as in the case of last week when union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said that the Centre government was firmly behind the victims of triple talaq while citing examples of many countries, including Iran, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, had abolished the practice.
Speaking at a function in the national capital to mark the Basava Jayanti celebrations in honour of Kannada philosopher Basaveswara, Modi referred to the 12th century reformer's movement against regressive practices to speak about triple talaq.
"I appeal to you not to view the triple talaq issue from a political perspective. Come out and find a solution. That solution will have its own majesty and generations will remember you," he said. He hoped that "powerful people" would emerge from society and help "eradicate outdated practices and evolve modern systems".
He called upon Indian Muslims to lead not just those from the community in the country, but to show the "path of modernity" to Muslims worldwide.
Referring to triple talaq, Modi said, "I am sure enlightened people will also emerge from among Muslims and come forward to end this practice, liberating our Muslim daughters and mothers from the scourge. I am sure enlightened Muslims will take this responsibility upon themselves.”
Modi also released a digital volume of Basaveswara's works titled "Vachan" in 23 languages. The works comprise 2500 sermons delivered by the philosopher.
After the event, the prime minister walked up to the audience to meet the family of Kannada scholar and rationalist M.M. Kalburgi, who was killed in Dharwad, Karnataka, last year, according to the statement issued by the prime minister’s office.