'Triple talaq': RSS calls upon Muslim women to take to streets against orthodox elements

New Delhi [India], Oct. 15 (ANI): Asserting that the Muslim personal Law is not a democratic body, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Saturday said Indian Muslim women should take inspiration from Pakistani women who in 1956, when the then Prime Minister Ali Bogra divorced his wife pronouncing 'triple talaq', took to the streets and the Pakistani authoritarian state had to bow down before them and alter the talaq (divorce). "The Muslim Personal Law Board is not a democratic body as it doesn't represent the entire Muslim community; it only represents orthodox, conservatives of the 'Sunni community'," RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha told ANI. Recalling that in Pakistan, which is theocratic state, Prime Minister Ali Bogra divorced his wife in 1956 pronouncing triple talaq, and the entire Muslim women came into the streets and the Pakistani authoritarian state had to bow down in 1961 and had to alter the triple talaq , Sinha called upon the Indian Muslim women, who are living in a democracy, to must learn from Pakistani experience. "They should take to the streets; they should oppose the orthodox elements and fundamentals of Khomeini. There should be complete equality between man and woman irrespective of religion, caste, region and language," he said. The RSS ideologue noted that the Muslim personal Law Board is not an elected body and is speaking the language of religious Islamic leader Ayatollah Khomeini. "I would like to remind them that this is a liberal democratic country. We will not tolerate the language, behaviour and social philosophy of Ayatollah Khomeini. They should stop speaking Khomeini's language if they are serious about the democracy. They should demand referendum among the Muslim women. Ask them to go for referendum on triple talaq among the Muslim women, and you will find 99 percent of the Muslim women are for abolishing triple talaq. This is a moment to liberate Muslim women from the prison," he added. Taking on the Congress Party, Sinha said, "The country is prepared for the universal civil code and India is already 60 years late. When the Hindu court bill was framed during a parliamentary debate, then the country voted that this is the first step towards the Universal Civil Code, but the politics was pursued by the Congress and perpetuated by successors of Nehru and Leftists and they made Muslim community prisoners of vote bank politics." Earlier in the day, the Communist Party of India (CPI) cautioned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the RSS for not impose their opinions on the Muslims on the issue of triple talaq, as it could lead to religious conflagration. CPI national secretary D. Raja told ANI, "BJP ministers and RSS should also understand that this issue should not be forced, as it can deviate people and can pit one religious community against the other. We all should strive for building a consensus. The fundamental point is, irrespective of religious affiliation or irrespective to what religion a person or women belongs to." On Thursday, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said they will boycott the Uniform Civil Law as they feel it is not good for the nation. "We will boycott the questionnaire sent by the Law Commission and we have decided that Muslims of the country will not answer this question as it is not acceptable and not good for the nation,"Hazrat Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani of the MPLB told a press conference here. (ANI)