The Muslim women "affected by the triple talaq practice voted for the BJP in good numbers" during the recent Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, claimed Union Minister for Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad today.
"In Uttar Pradesh, the women who have been affected due to the practice of triple talaq, voted for the BJP in good numbers. The state has the highest number of victims of this practice," said Prasad, who was here for the 8th Convocation of the Gujarat National Law University.
"It is unfortunate that (BSP supremo) Mayawati, (former Chief Minister) Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple or (Congress leader) Priyanka Gandhi are silent on the issue," he said.
Prasad said the central government has placed before the Supreme Court a strong argument against the triple talaq, as the practice is "not an issue of religion, but of gender justice, gender equality and gender dignity."
"The matter (of triple talaq) is pending in the Supreme Court. It is not an issue of religion, but of gender justice, gender equality and gender dignity," he said.
"We perform worship, but any wrong practice like untouchability can't become part of the prayer, because it is against the Constitution. Not discriminating against women is also the part of the Constitution," Prasad said.
"More than 20 Islamic majority countries have either limited the practice of triple talaq or have fully abolished it," the minister said.
Also present during the convocation ceremony were Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy of the Gujarat High Court and Minister of State for Law Pradipsinh Jadeja.
Prasad exuded confidence that "constitutionally, a grand Ram Temple will be constructed" at the disputed site in Ayodhya.
He said the evidence supporting Ram Temple is constitutionally strong, and "we are very confident that the Supreme Court will rule in our favour."
"We want SC to decide on it at the earliest. The evidence we have in support of Ram Temple is constitutionally strong and we are very confident, the Supreme Court will rule in our favour, and after that a grand Ram temple will be constructed there constitutionally," he said.
Taking potshots at the Congress, Prasad said, "Congress' biggest problem is Rahul Gandhi. It is for the party to think about him. We would like the Congress to become a strong opposition."
He also expressed confidence that the BJP will form government in Gujarat with an overwhelming majority like it did in Uttar Pradesh.
Gujarat goes for assembly polls during later part of the year.
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