PATNA: Allahabad High Court’s stern observations on triple talaq have revived the political race in Bihar about secularism. BJP on Friday accused both Lalu and Nitish of keeping quiet on the issue due to their “appeasement politics” with Muslims.
“Both (Bihar Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar and (RJD chief) Lalu Prasad Yadav are silent on the issue of triple talaq due to their overriding concern for vote bank politics. They are the opportunist players of such appeasement politics,” said senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi.
Allahabad High Court observed in a recent order that triple talaq is “cruel” and “most demeaning” and that it “impedes and drags India from becoming a nation”. The court also asked if the Muslim Personal law could be amended to lessen the sufferings of Muslim women.
Modi also targeted Nitish Kumar on the latter’s continuous stress on women’s empowerment, asking: “If you can impose prohibition in Bihar on the call of a few women, why cannot you gather the courage to
oppose triple talaq?” He accused Kumar and his main ally Lalu Prasad Yadav of not supporting Muslim women in their struggle against triple talaq and polygamy due to vote bank politics. “Over 90 per cent Muslim women oppose triple talaq and polygamy, but Bihar’s ruling leaders have no concern for their desires,” said Modi.
RJD leader Bhai Birendra defended his party, saying: “There is no denying the fact that our leader Lalu Prasad Yadav is the champion of secularism. Those terming the valued notion of secularism as vote bank politics are simply displaying their communal bent”. Birendra, however, said RJD is still studying the Allahabad High Court order and would come up with a “suitable view” soon.
On the issue of Modi questioning the 50 per cent reservation for women in the state’s local bodies ensured by the Nitish Kumar government, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said BJP leaders if they so wanted, could openly come out in opposition of the legislative measure.