Triple talaq row may not bring Muslim votes to BJP

VA DO DA RA: Electoral issues usually mean little to Zakia Ahmed *, an anaesthetist, and Zainab*, an engineer. The sisters, who struggled to finance their education, are more concerned about everyday challenges faced by working women in metropolitan cities.

Though the two are tightlipped about their choices for the upcoming electoral contest, they seem willing to compare notes on what various political parties have to offer them. High on their list of topics is the BJP’s campaign against triple talaq, the controversial Islamic practice of instant divorce. Both unanimously say the party did well in appropriating the issue. “It is a very good step,” Zainab says.

The sisters, however, are far from swayed by the campaign. Zakia, who was able to pay for her medical college fee through a private Jeddha bank’s philan- thropy programme, says they would be more impressed if the BJP were to offer financial aid to the community – so women like her could pursue their dreams.

While many admit that triple talaq could pave the way for the community to bring in similar reforms, there is little evidence to show the unease and distrust towards the saffron party (which emerged as a consequence of the 2002 riots) have dissipated. HTC