Modi govt forgets Lord Ram, becomes advocate of Muslim women: Ex-VHP chief Togadia on Triple Talaq bill

Former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Pravin Togadia has announced a rally from Lucknow to Ayodhya on October 21 to awaken the Centre from its slumber, saying the Narendra Modi government has forgotten Lord Ram.

"Modi has forgotten Lord Ram and become the advocate of Muslim women" on the issue of Triple Talaq, Togadia told reporters in Rudrapur.

Togadia, who now heads an outfit called Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad, accused the Modi government of failing all expectations.

"Our expectation was that a Ram temple will be built in Ayodhya through an act of Parliament, that education will be made affordable and crores of our youth will get jobs. Petrol will become cheaper and farmers will be exempted from repaying their debts," Togadia said on his way to Haldwani to attend an event organised by his outfit.

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Togadia said the Parishad will take out a march from Lucknow to Ayodhya on October 21 to awaken the Centre from its sleep.

Togadia's decision came on the heels of the Union Cabinet's decision to approve the ordinance on the amended Triple Talaq Bill which was earlier deferred to the next session of Parliament as parties in the Rajya Sabha failed to reach an agreement over it in early August.

The Bill proposes a three-year term for Muslim men whoever is found guilty of giving instant divorce to his wife by saying the word ‘talaq’ thrice.

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Under the newly promulgated law, the mother or the victim wife will get the custody of the minor child and is entitled to a maintenance suitably determined by the magistrate for herself and the child.