SC verdict on Triple Talaq: God-send for BJP

Has the Supreme Court verdict, striking down triple talaq in a majority judgment, opened up a new vista for BJP to its run-up to 2019 election? And will this extraordinary verdict give BJP that one vague opening Muslims, which was thought to be out of the party’s catchment area. Against this backdrop, it is worthwhile mentioning that PM Narendra  has on multiple occasions come out in support of Muslim women, terming his stand against triple talaq a matter women empowerment. He has hailed the judgement of the Hon’ble Supreme Court on Triple Talaq. Calling the judgement historic, the Prime Minister said that it grants equality to Muslim women and is a powerful measure for women empowerment. “Judgement of the Hon'ble SC on Triple Talaq is historic. It grants equality to Muslim women and is a powerful measure for women empowerment”, the Prime Minister said.

Furthermore, within hours of the SC reading out the order, BJP President Amit Shah hailed the decision as the beginning of a new era of equality for Muslim women. He said it was a historic judgment. "The judgment marks the beginning of a new era of pride and equality for Muslim women. The BJP welcomes the respects the expansion of Muslim women's rights and sees today's court order as a step towards a determined 'New India'. It is a historic judgement, and not a question of victory or defeat. It's an assertion of equal rights for Muslim women and the prevalence of their basic rights under the Constitution," he said.

Evidently, it is this segment among Muslims that the saffron party would endeavour to make inroads. It is noteworthy that BJP’s campaign against triple talaq is rooted in the fact that it wants to expose its ideological opponents—especially Congress and Liberal Left--on this issue.  “The Left is liberal and so is Congress. They have all these years survived on the minority support. But issues like triple talaq are the ones when they are on the back-foot and bring out the inherent contradictions within these parties,” says a BJP leader. Not surprisingly, within minutes of Amit Shah’s press conference at Delhi headquarters, Congress had to follow the suit, welcoming the SC order.

By Uday India Bureau