Prime Minister Narendra Modi admonished prime time television debate participants today (24 October), requesting them to not treat the contentious issue of ‘triple talaq’ as a Hindu-Muslim matter. He linked it to women’s rights, which, he said, fell under the development umbrella.

“I am surprised that for vote bank politics, some parties want to keep Muslim women bereft of their natural rights,” Modi said. He was addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Mahoba.

The Modi government has taken a categorical stand that personal laws must comply with the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution. After the Supreme Court asked the government for its stand on the issue of triple talaq, it filed an affidavit arguing that it should be judged on the yardstick of equality.

Also, the Law Commission has initiated an academic exercise asking various communities about their views on the uniform civil code.

In his Mahoba rally, Modi requested to not make triple talaq a political matter. “Let’s take proper measures to give equal rights to women as well,” he exhorted.

“Is it fair for a man to say ‘talaaq’ thrice over the phone and a Muslim woman's life to be ruined?” Modi asked the crowd. “This issue shouldn’t be politicised,” he said.