New Delhi, Aug 18 (UNI) BJP chief and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday lashed out at the Congress and other opposition parties for their continued appeasement policies and said such approach has only encouraged vote bank politics and this has harmed nation.
"Some parties have opposed framing of laws to ban Triple Talaq. This originates from appeasement politics. The appeasement politics slowly became a tool to pursue vote bank politics. Triple Talaq is just an example. The vote bank politics has harmed nation in many ways," Mr Shah said at a function here.
The 'vote bank politics' has over the decades harmed nation and thwarted inclusive developments, he said.
He said Shah Bano case had surfaced in 1980s but the Rajiv Gandhi government did not show the determination and political will to take measures against Triple Talaq.
"....but the situation is changed. Now we have BJP government and Rajiv Gandhi was no longer the Prime Minister and thus it was pushed," Mr Shah said.
Quoting judges order on the social menace and 'ku pratha (a superstitious practice)', he said when Triple Talaq was 'sin' in Quran why it should be considered a law.
Home Minister said as many as 19 countries including several Islamic nations had banned Triple Talaq way back in 1960s and it was only 'due to appeasement politics' none in the past had taken steps against it.
Addressing the meeting organised by the Syama Prasad Mukherjee Manch, Mr Shah said: "There is a difference between those who practice vote bank politics and others who want to work for inclusive development. For ensuring inclusive development of the country, one has to work hard. One has to do proper planning. For this you need compassion in heart and not the simple greed for votes".
Poverty and backwardness, Home Minister said has no religious colour and to fight these one does not need 'appeasement politics'.
"But it was the Congress party that pursued a politics of appeasement in 1960s and later several other parties also emulated the same formula. This had impacted normal life in India. It impacted our democracy as well," he said.
Hence there is a need to make a concerted effort to fight the 'appeasement politics', Home Minister said.
Home Minister said the politics of appeasement is the reason for evil practice of Triple Talaq that thrived for so long and also maintained it was the appeasement politics that had resulted in partition of India.
Mr Shah said: "Election of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister in 2014 was beginning of end of politics of appeasement and the '2019 mandate' has taken a major step to end it forever".
The Home Minister further said - "Criminalisation of Triple Talaq would be beneficial to only Muslim community and no other communities such as Hindus, Jains or Christians".
Mr Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be thus remembered for piloting this new Bill as one of the great social reformers which would have 'revolutionary' impact in national life.
"Prime Minister showed determination and political will as the Bill was stalled by opposition parties twice," Mr Shah said.
UNI DEVN 1850