Politics
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Twitter)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly instructed BJP leaders to engage with Muslim women during the upcoming Raksha Bandhan festival, stating that the government's ban on triple talaq has enhanced their overall sense of security.
He made the appeal during a meeting with BJP-led NDA MPs from West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Several MPs at the meeting noted that outlawing the practice of instant divorce by Muslim men significantly empowered Muslim women.
This year, Raksha Bandhan, which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, will be observed on 30 August.
In 2019, the Parliament passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, which made instant triple talaq illegal. It was declared a crime that could result in a jail term for the husband.
During his recent 'Mann ki Baat' address, the Prime Minister mentioned the "huge transformation" of over 4,000 Muslim women performing Haj this year without a 'mehram'.
He said his government's changes in the Haj policy over the past few years have provided more opportunities for people to participate in the annual pilgrimage.
He expressed his belief that the people would not accept this new alliance.
Despite the name change, he said, the opposition alliance will not be able to wash off its “sins of corruption and misgovernance."
For better communication, the BJP has organised NDA MPs into clusters based on regions, with each cluster consisting of approximately 40 members.
PM Modi is expected to address these clusters separately during the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament.
The first two meetings were already held on Monday (31 July). Additionally, he recently spoke to around 45 NDA MPs from the western part of Uttar Pradesh up to the Kanpur-Bundelkhand region.
He urged the Uttar Pradesh MPs to actively engage with the masses and share with them a positive message about the government's work.