Law against triple talaq saved families of Muslim women from breaking up in UP: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the law against triple talaq has saved families of thousands of Muslim women from breaking up in Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing an election rally here at Kanpur Dehat, the prime minister said the tightening of law and order in the state has also benefitted Muslim girls who used to face problems from miscreants while going to school earlier.

PM Modi's remarks at the rally here come amid a row in Karnataka where schools have stopped Muslim girls from attending classes while wearing hijab.

The second phase of polling on 55 seats in UP was held on Monday. Several seats in the second phase, including Rampur from where SP leader Azam Khan is contesting, have large Muslim population.

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The prime minister's rally at Akbarpur covered 10 assembly constituencies of Kanpur, Kanpur Dehat and Jalaun which will go to polls in the third phase on February 20.

The prime minister also hit out at the Samajwadi Party, saying they had distributed areas among family members for "loot" during their rule in the state.

In an apparent dig at the SP, Modi said it changes partners every election and they blame each other before separating.

"This time also after March 10, the same 'tu tu main main (squabble)' will take place between them," he said without identifying any party.

The SP had fought 2017 UP polls with Congress but entered into an alliance with the BSP in the 2019 parliamentary elections.

This time, the Akhilesh Yadav-led party has joined hands with RLD and a string of caste-based regional parties.

Justifying the legislation against triple talaq, the prime minister recalled how Muslim women suffered due to the practice.

"If a Muslim girl came back from her 'maika' (native home) empty-handed, she was instantly given triple talaq. If a motorcycle, gold chain, watch or mobile phone was not brought (by her), then triple talaq was given. The life of Muslim women had gotten virtually destroyed by triple talaq.

"You can understand the pain of not only that woman, but also of her parents. When the daughter came back to her home (from her in-laws place), she was under constant fear of getting triple talaq. Today, we have given to every Muslim sister a law to protect themselves against triple talaq," Modi said.

The prime minister said according to a report, after the anti-triple talaq law was enacted, the homes of thousands of daughters were saved from breaking up in Uttar Pradesh.

The Centre had enacted a law against triple talaq in 2019.

Modi also took a swipe at the Trinamool Congress over a leader's remark that the party was contesting elections in Goa to "divide" Hindu votes.

That leader's remark should be noted by the Election Commission, by the voters and also by the voters of UP.

PM Modi was apparently referring to TMC MP Mahua Moitra's remarks that her party has prevented the consolidation of Hindu votes by tying up with the MGP in Goa.

"She (in an interview) said her party has forged an alliance so that the Hindu votes in Goa could be divided. You see this audacity ('himmat'). Is this democracy?

"Is this secularism? You are openly saying you want to divide the Hindu votes. Then whose votes are you trying to gather? This discrimination, is this the language of democracy. I would like to say to the voters of Goa, that this is the opportunity to bury this type of politics," Modi said.

TMC is supporting SP in the UP elections. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had last week held a joint press meet with Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow.

Modi lauded the UP government for instilling fear in the minds of miscreants, goons and rioters, saying this has boosted the confidence of girls in the state.

"And that is why, every daughter and sister of the state are saying - 'UP ke liye Yogi ha Upyogi' (Yogi is useful for UP)," he said.

The prime minister said a large number of beneficiaries of the work, which has been done by our government, are Muslim daughters.

"Our Muslim daughters faced problems from miscreants when they used to go to school. But as crime was controlled in UP, they benefited from it.

"My constant endeavour is to make the life of Muslim daughters and sisters smooth," Modi said.

Coming down heavily on the SP, he said they had distributed areas among family members for "loot" during their rule in the state.

Modi asked the people whether they would like to vote for a party which would create "mafia ganj" in every district of the state.

He said the voting trend of the second phase and the voting in the first phase has made four things very clear.

"First, Yogi ji's government is coming back with a bang. Second, the people of every caste, section, village and cities have voted unitedly for the development without any confusion. Thirdly, our mothers, sisters and daughters have themselves raised the flag of BJP's victory and lastly, my Muslim sisters have silently made up their mind to bless Modi and are coming out of their houses to cast vote," he said.

"Our Muslim women and daughters know that a person, who stands by them during both happiness and sorrow, is one of their own ('apna')," Modi said.

Modi also talked about Kanpur Dehat being home of President Ram Nath Kovind.

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