PM Narendra Modi assures ‘Muslim sisters’ of Triple Talaq Bill

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday targeted the Congress for involvement in "scams after scams", while also vowing to abolish triple talaq and throwing his full weight behind equal rights for Muslim women.

PM Modi questioned Rahul Gandhi's alleged association with UK firm Backops, saying the Congress president's scams were being "unearthed from land, sea and water". At a rally in Sagar, PM Modi said the "naamdar" is exposed every time he tries to malign his administration. "The more he (Modi) is targeted, the more lotus will bloom," he said.

The Home Ministry had last week served a notice to Rahul, saying it received representation from BJP MP Subramanian Swamy, claiming that a company named Backops Limited was registered in the UK in 2003, with the Congress leader one of its directors. "The naamdar in an interview mentioned that his aim was to malign my image. But more mud he throws at me, better the lotus will bloom," the PM said. "He owned a company called Backops in England which was shut in 2009. But in 2011, a partner in the company got a submarine deal contract. The government was of the Congress. How did the Backops partner get the deal, what was his experience in defence contracts?"

The PM also addressed another rally in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, at Gwalior, where he targeted the Congress some more. "Perhaps after 1977, after Emergency, this is the first election where people of the country are contesting to bring the current government back to power," he said, adding that each vote in favour of the BJP will inspire him to fight terrorism with vigour.

He also hit out at the Opposition grand alliance, saying it's based on false entities and lies. "On one side is the 'Mahamilawat' and their abuses and lies, and on the other, the trust of the people on this sevak of theirs," Modi said.

In addition, he also visited Uttar Pradesh's Bhadohi town on Sunday, which has a sizeable Muslim population. Here he assured the community that his government is committed to bringing in a law to abolish instant triple talaq. He assured his "Muslim sisters" that he will not let the Opposition create hurdles in the way. "There are so many Islamic countries where there is no provision of triple talaq. Girls are not devastated in the name of triple talaq there. We want to give Muslim sisters the same rights as in other countries," he said.

"We have introduced a provision to the same effect in Parliament according to their (Muslims) sentiments and institutions. We do not disrespect religious sentiments of anyone, we act according to the Constitution, which ensures equal rights for all," PM Modi said.

He lamented that the Opposition parties weren't letting the bill pass in Parliament. "Congress and its allies are forcing the sisters to live in fear of triple talaq. They are trying to stall the triple talaq bill," he said.