CPM accuses Centre of using triple talaq bill for 'political gains', says it has hidden agenda to 'harass Muslims'

Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM on Friday accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of using the triple talaq bill for “political gains”. [caption id=“attachment_4288961” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Muslim women and members of Women India Movement hold placards as they march against the triple talaq bill. AP[/caption] Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 for political gains, Kerala CPM secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan alleged in an article published in party organ “Deshabhimani”. Besides, the bill also had a hidden agenda to “harass” Muslims, he alleged, adding that the “wolf in a deerskin trick is being used for the propaganda”. Divorce was a civil matter and the move to make it a criminal offence was not with an objective to protect the Muslim women, but with a view to target the community, the CPM politburo member alleged. He clarified that his party welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on instant triple talaq, but added that the bill introduced by the Modi government was to “cheat” the Muslim women. The CPM had always opposed the “primitive” triple talaq practice, Balakrishnan asserted, adding that it denigrated the dignity and honour of women. The Left leader said the bill should be referred to the Select Committee for a debate and necessary amendments. Claiming that the Centre had tabled the bill in Parliament in a hurry, he pointed out that it was passed in the Lok Sabha after a four-hour discussion. “One cannot reject the criticism that the new legislation is a part of the Sangh Parivar’s journey towards achieving a Hindu Rashtra,” Balakrishnan said.