PM Narendra Modi talks about women on Haj and instant talaq in Mann Ki Baat

NEW DELHI: PM Modi on Sunday said his government has liberated Muslim women from the practice of instant talaq and also ended the rule that said Muslim women could not go to Haj without being accompanied by a male guardian.

"Almost 1,300 Muslim women, from Kerala to North India, have applied to travel on Haj without a male guardian after we scrapped the rule.

Our Ministry of Minority Affairs issued corrective measures and we ameliorated the restriction by phasing out a tradition that had been in practice for the past 70 years."

"I have suggested the ministry that they should ensure that all women who have applied to travel alone be allowed to perform Haj.

Usually there's a lottery system for selection of Haj pilgrims, but I would like that single women pilgrims should be excluded from this lottery system," the PM said in his 'Mann Ki Baat' address.

"It should be our constant endeavour that our women also get equal rights and equal opportunities just like men, so that they can proceed simultaneously on the path of progress," the PM said.

The PM also mentioned that head of all 10 Asean countries will be the chief guests at the Republic Day celebrations which is a matter of great pride for India. "This time, not one but 10 chief guests would grace the Republic Day. This is unprecedented in India's history."

Earlier in the day, while speaking through video-conferencing on the occasion of the 85th Sivagiri Pilgrimage Celebrations in Kerala, the PM said Muslim women had for long experienced pain and difficulties due to the practice of triple talaq.

"After a long fight, Muslim women have now found a way to liberate themselves from the practice of instant triple talaq," he said.