Those silent on triple talaq are as guilty as those practising it: Yogi
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said those maintaining silence on the “burning issue” of triple talaq are as “guilty” as those practising it.
Drawing an analogy between the silence of politicians on triple talaq and that of the nobles during the disrobing of ‘Draupadi’ in the Mahabharata, he said, “Those in the political class that are keeping mum need to be put in the dock along with the perpetrators of the crime and their accomplices.”
Reacting sharply, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) termed Adityanath's remark as
“jaahilaanaa” (foolish). “These days, there is a new debate in the country on a burning issue. Some people are maintaining silence on this issue. This reminds me of the scene in the Mahabharata in which Draupadi is being disrobed and she asks a question to the gathering as to who is responsible for this incident, this sin?” Adityanath said.
“No one uttered even a single word. Only Vidur said people who have committed the crime, the accomplices and those who maintained silence on this issue are equally responsible,” he said, referring to the practice of triple talaq.
Adityanath made these remarks at an event to mark the 91st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar.
Calling for an end to the Muslim practice of triple talaq the Chief Minister advocated a uniform civil code in the country.
His remarks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch against the divisive issue of triple talaq, insisting that exploitation of Muslim women should end and justice be done to them.
Modi had, however, deprecated any attempt at creating a “conflict” within the Muslim community on the issue and suggested tackling it through social awareness.
On Adityanath’s statement, AIMPLB General Secretary Maulana Wali Rahmani said, “I don't know how to react to the jaahilaanaa (foolish) statement. He is linking talaq with a greater issue — the disrobing of Draupadi. No sane person will do so. He is looking at things using a different lens.”
The AIMPLB at its meeting on Sunday had asserted that Muslims have a “constitutional” right to follow their personal law of which triple talaq was a part. Rahmani had said the board has decided to issue a code of conduct and warned that those who give ‘talaq’ (divorce) without following the 'Sharia' (Islamic law) will face social boycott.