If Modi govt tries to abolish triple talaq, BJP will be finished, says Shahi Imam

Alleging that the Modi government was trying to “impose” Uniform Civil Code on the Muslims, the Imam called all Muslims, as well as Hindus, Christians, Dalits and other communities to come together to oppose the move. “If Prime Minister Narendra Modi tries to abolish Quran, talaq or Muslim personal laws, his party will be finished… As many as 40 crore Muslims of India will teach them a lesson. Talaq is in the Quran, so nobody can abolish it,” Barkati said.

He was addressing a protest demonstration in front of the Tipu Sultan Mosque at Esplanade, in which two Trinamool MPs — Sultan Ahmed and Idris Ali — were present. The dharna, which went on for around 40 minutes, led to severe traffic snarls. The shahi imam also called for a nationwide road blockade protesting the Centre’s move. A rally at the Park Circus Maidan would also be held, he said.

Speaking at the protest, Sultan Ahmed said: “Quran cannot be amended or abolished and talaq is already mentioned in the Quran… No government can interfere in the teachings of Quran, talaq or personal laws of Muslims.”

“There cannot be any uniform civil code in the country. It will disturb the unity of the country. Muslims in the country have been targeted and the Centre is trying to impose uniform civil code on the Muslims. We have inherited the law and we will not allow any interference,” he added. Asked whether it is his party’s view, the MP said, “This is not the Trinanmool office. You ask our party’s national spokesperson about it.”

Idris Ali, maintaining that “nobody will be allowed to amend the Quran”, said: “We will oppose any such move of the Centre and will stop anybody who will try to amend the Quran.” He appealed to all to join the conference to be organised by All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Sunday against the code.

Besides Ahmed and Ali, Trinamool leaders Ahmed Hassan Imran, Mohammad Kasim and Mukhtar Ali also participated in the event.

For the first time in India’s constitutional history,the Centre on October 7 had opposed in the Supreme Court the practice of triple talaq, ‘nikah halala’ and polygamy among Muslims and favoured a relook on the grounds of gender equality and secularism.

With PTI inputs