Venakaiah Naidu hits back at BSP, says attacking PM won't solve issue of triple talaq

Backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said that triple talaq is not a communal or a religious issue. He said, instead, it is an issue of ending gender discrimination, while asking the Samajwadi Party, BSP and "their guardian" the Congress provide a solution to this pressing problem in a united manner.

Naidu's statement came after Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati said Prime Minister Narendra Modi "should not interfere" in the matter of triple talaq and should allow Muslims to solve the issue through consensus.

Naidu questioned if the BSP was supporting the discrimination against women or do they not want equal treatment to all - there should be no discrimination on the basis of religion.

"Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and their guardian the Congress should together give a solution, which would be really good. Let the BSP, SP and the Congress come clean, because they all are partners of the UPA. What is their stand on the abolition of triple talaq," Naidu asked.

"Triple talaq is not a communal issue or a religious issue, it is an issue of gender justice. It is an issue of ending gender discrimination; it is an issue of equality before law, which is granted by the article 14 and 15 of the Constitution. I said it earlier and I am repeating it again for the sake of those people who are not able to understand it. Unnecessary dragging the Prime Minister and the Sangh makes no sense," he added.

Naidu added that they are trying to defame PM Modi and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The minister also said, "The Court asked the government what is their stand on this issue and to which, the Government discussed it within themselves and came to a conclusion that triple talaq is harmful and discriminatory and is injustice towards women and should be abolished."

--ANI