Union Home Minister Amit Shah said appeasement, which led to the Partition, is the reason for evil practice of triple talaq continuing for so long. Speaking on the 'Abolition of Triple Talaq: Correcting a Historic Wrong' at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on Sunday, Shah said triple talaq was a malpractice, there is no doubt about it in anybody's mind. “Some parties opposed the bill in Parliament but deep inside their heart they knew it was a malpractice that needed to end but they didn't have the courage to do it,” he said.
Shah also defended the law criminalising triple talaq, saying it is going to benefit Muslims, and not other communities. Coming down heavily on the Congress, he said the party has "no shame" and continues to oppose the law on triple talaq.
"The election of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister in 2014 was the beginning of the end of politics of appeasement and the 2019 mandate is to end it forever," said Shah, the BJP president.
The legislation to criminalise instant triple talaq was passed by Parliament in the last session.
“I would like to make it clear that the Triple Talaq (Bill) is only for the benefit of the Muslim community, not for anything else. Hindus, Christians, and Jains are not going to benefit by it because they never had to suffer due to it,” he said.
Targeting the former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, Shah said: “On April 23, 1985, the Supreme Court gave order in favour of Shah Bano. The court abolished triple talaaq and said giving maintenance was mandatory and a reason must be given for talaaq. But, Rajiv Gandhi under pressure from orthodox Muslims and vote bank brought a law overturning SC's decision.”
The home minister also lashed out at the Congress for backing triple talaq.
“Even today, the Congress has no shame, they say they are in favour of triple talaq and it should stay. Why? They have no answer. They didn't give a single justification for their stand and argued just to register protest so their vote bank stays intact,” he said.