A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly spoke on triple talaq and of the need to ensure social justice to “Muslim sisters”, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath equated the Islamic practice of instant divorce to the disrobing of Draupadi in the Mahabharata.

Chastising politicians for maintaining silence on the issue of ‘triple talaq’, the Adityanath said, “These days there is a new debate in the country. Some people are maintaining a silence on this issue. This reminds me of the scene in the Mahabharata in which Draupadi is being disrobed in an assembly and she asks a question to the gathering as to who is responsible for this.”

“...No one was able to utter even a single word. At that time, Vidur said people who have committed the crime, those who are accomplices [to it] and those who maintained silence are equally responsible,” the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) issued a code of conduct and warned that those who divorce without reasons prescribed in the Sharia (Islamic law) would face social boycott. As per the Board, the code of conduct would be popularised through maulvis and imams of mosques who have been asked to educate the community.

There were, however, strong responses to the AIMPLB’s directive. Writer-lyricist and former Rajya Sabha MP Javed Akhtar said the Board’s call for social boycott of abusers of the practice of triple talaq is a “hoax”. He termed the practice an abuse in itself and called for a ban on it.

“What is the meaning of ‘misuse of triple talaq’. Tomorrow, we may hear of misuse of molestation. Misuse of rape. Misuse of wife beating,” Akhtar said in a series of tweets.

The Left parties said the BJP’s push for banning triple talaq had less to do with ensuring justice for women and more to further alienate the Muslims. Attacking the PM and the BJP’s new pitch about “justice for Muslim women”, the CPI said this campaign would only be relevant when the ruling party and the PM express equal concern about similar problems of Hindu and Christian women and their fight to ensure gender equality.

The CPI contended that all personal laws are “biased” against women and suggested Modi to not keep himself “confined” to the issue of ‘triple talaq’ only.

“Modi should speak in a larger context. Not only Muslim sisters, several Hindu sisters, Christian sisters too are being exploited as all personal laws are biased against women. The question is to strive for gender equality and gender justice,” CPI national secretary D Raja said.

Raja further charged the Prime Minister with speaking on triple talaq but remaining silent on the Women’s Reservation Bill.