Can PM Modi speak on 'gau rakshaks' widowing Muslim women, asks Azam Khan

NEW DELHI: Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the confidence that Muslim reformers will come forward to fight against the suffering of Muslim daughters, SP leader Azam Khan said that PM should also speak up on other issues faced by the Muslim women. "Prime Minister Modi should also focus on other problems of Muslim women. Muslim women are losing their husbands and son due to violence by Gau Rakshaks," Samajwadi Party leader told ANI. Other rival parties have also questioned the "newfound" concern of PM Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath for Muslim women. Raising the contentious issue of triple talaq yet again, PM Modi had said that the Muslim community should look for solutions than politicising the issue. Addresing the Basava Convention in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi said: “Main Muslim samaaj se aagrah karunga ki triple talaq ke mudde ko rajneeti ke daayre mein mat aane dijiye. Aap log aake aakar iska samaadhan kijiye (I urge the Muslim society not to politicise the triple talaq issue. Rather, come forward and solve the matter).” Modi said the reformers of the community will come forward to protect women from ill-effects of triple talaq. “Muslim samaaj se prabudh log aage aayenge, Muslim betiyon ke saath jo guzar rahi hai uske khilaf woh khud ladai ladenge aur kabhi na kabhi raasta nikalenge (Muslim reformers will come forward some day and fight against the suffering of Muslim daughters and will find a solution one day or the other). He also said that his government will bring an end to this archaic law. During BJP’s two-day national executive meeting earlier this month, Modi said society should be "awakened" against "evil customs" to ensure justice for Muslim women, referring to the practice of instant triple talaq which is now before the Supreme Court. "Muslim sisters should get justice. If there are evil customs, society should be awakened and efforts made so that Muslim women get justice," he had said. Modi has also underlined that the issue should be resolved without any conflict in Muslim society. Observing the growing debate on the issue in the country, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board had recently said it would issue a code of conduct under which those pronouncing 'triple talaq' without valid reasons mentioned under 'Sharia' (Islamic law) will face social boycott.