Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today mounted an offensive on Opposition leaders including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, BSP chief Mayawati and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee over the issue of triple talaq.

Participating in a discussion at India Today Editors' Roundtable, Ravi Shankar Prasad today said, "Maximum number of suffers of triple talaq are from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar." "Why Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mayawati and Mamata Banerjee are silent on triple talaq? This is vote bank politics, Prasad said.

WHAT ELSE RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD SAID

Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Triple talaq is not the question of religion and worship. It is the question of gender justice, gender dignity and gender equality."

"We have not challenged triple talaq in the court. A Muslim woman, who suffered due to the practice of triple talaq, has challenged this. The Supreme Court sent us a notice. We only responded to the notice," Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Prasad further said, "I am proud that the Muslim woman thought that she could go to the court when Modi government is at the Centre as it would stand by us on the issue of triple talaq."

"Rajiv Gandhi bent on Shah Bano. Modi government is with suffers of triple talaq. We will not bend," Prasad said. Ravi Shankar Prasad had raised the issue of triple talaq during the election campaign in Uttar Pradesh. Facing questions at India Today Editors' Roundtable, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Why should social issues not be raised in politics? Why only slaughterhouses be raised in politics?"

Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed Kapil Sibal for comparing the practice of triple talaq with Ram calling both as matter of faith. "What does Kapil Sibal want to say with his comparison? Ram was an ideal being while triple talaq is evil practice. A comparison between the two is disgusting." On the question of the Supreme Court clearing the deck for restoring conspiracy charges against BJP leaders including LK Advani and Union Minister Uma Bharit, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "I had been LK Adavni's lawyer. I believe there is no evidence against Advani. Till proven guilty every accused is innocent under the law. Our cabinet colleague will come out clean."

"Modi government is working on the agenda of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. The government came to know about Karimul Haq of Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. His mother died as there was ambulance to take her to hospital. He took a vow that he would take every sick person in need to hospital on his bike. He has saved lives of 2,000 people. PMO got into touch with him. The Prime Minister spoke to him. He is being given Padmashri. This is how we function," Prasad said. "This country is as much of the Muslim as of Hindus or Chirstians. Our job is to provide equal opportunity to everyone," Prasad said. On the question of cow vigilantism, Prasad said that PM Modi has clarified it so many times that no one would be allowed to take law in their hands in the name of protection of cows. "Some people don't like Modi. They don't like that he was born in a poor family and became PM and doing good job," Prasad said.

On the question if the BJP is warming up to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "We did not leave Nitish Kumar, he left us. Now he is in alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav, who and whose family members are facing charges of corruption. The question is how comfortable 'Sushasan Babu' is with Lalu Prasad Yadav."

Is the BJP concerned about attempt by the Opposition parties to stitch a grand alliance on the lines of Bihar? Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "This is not Mahagathbandhan. This is an alliance of fear. They are scared of Narendra Modi."

On the question of conflict with the judiciary, Prasad said, "We have fought for judicial independence. There is no clash. But, we wanted to improve functioning of judiciary. We brought NJAC, which was set aside by the Supreme Court. But, we have accepted it."

Later, Prasad questioned the efficiency of collegium system to appoint judges in the higher judiciary. He said, "Before collegiums system was introduced, many judges of high calibre were appointed in the higher judiciary," adding that if collegium system was producing judges of similar calibre. "Collegium system has produced Justice (CS) Karnan."

Also Watch: India Today Editors' Roundtable: Ravi Shankar Prasad questions the efficiency of collegium system

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