Nitish not backing BJP on triple talaq, temple

patna — Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said that his Janata Dal-United (JDU) had nothing to do with controversial issues such as building a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya and triple talaq.

“Our stand on these controversial issues is old. There is no change in our stand. We have nothing to do with such issues,” the JD-U President told the media here after holding his first Lok Sambad in 2019.

He said his party desired that both issues should be resolved peacefully and by consensus.

Kumar said the practice of instant divorce had come under scanner after a Muslim woman came out in protest, but pointed out many other women from the community had signed memorandums against the ordinance brought a few months ago making instant triple talaq a penal offence as people take offence when they feel something is being imposed on them.

When a bill, introducing a provision for making adherence to the practice punishable with imprisonment, was brought in Lok Sabha recently, the JD(U) refused to vote in favour. Although the bill got passed by voice vote, the JD(U)’s divergent stance may cause a major hurdle in Rajya Sabha, where the NDA lacks majority.

Asked about the Ram temple issue, Kumar said, “Our party’s stand has always been clear. It should be decided by the court of law. However, if some solution is arrived at by negotiations between the affected communities we would welcome that as well.” —

Our stand on these controversial issues is old. There is no change in our stand. We have nothing to do with such issues

Nitish Kumar, Bihar CM