Modi asks Muslim leaders to initiate reform on triple talaq

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday asked leaders of Muslim community who met him to initiate reform on triple talaq without letting the issue to be politicised.

Modi, who met 25 leaders from the Muslim community under the umbrella of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, said democracy's greatest greatest strength is harmony and amity and the government does not have any right to discriminate among citizens, said a PMO release.

Stressing India's specialty has been its unity in diversity, he said that the new generation in the country must not be allowed to fall victim to the rising global tide of extremism.

"On triple talaq, the Prime Minister reiterated that the Muslim community should not allow this issue to be politicized, and urged the assembled gathering to take the responsibility for initiating reform in this regard," the release said, adding the members of the delegation appreciated the Prime Minister's stand on the issue.

The delegation members expressed concern over the situation in the Kashmir Valley and "said that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can resolve the issue".

Noting the Muslim community is keen to be an equal partner in the making of New India, they said terrorism was a major challenge and expressed a common resolve to combat it with all their might.

The delegation also said it is Muslim community's responsibility that under no circumstances should anyone compromise the nation's security or well-being.

"They said that the Muslim community would never allow any conspiracy against India succeed," the release said.

The release said that members of the delegation, who are associated with educational institutions, also mentioned the progress made by their institutions in taking advantage of government initiatives such as the start-up scheme.

The release said the delegation also appreciated implementation of minority welfare schemes.

Welcoming the delegation, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said that the whole world is looking at India and it is the responsibility of all segments of Indian society to take the nation forward.

The members of the delegation included Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Maulana Qari Syed Mohammad Usman Mansurpuri, its General Secretary Maulana Mahmood A. Madani, Mumbai-based Anjuman-i-Islam's President Zahir I. Kazi, academician Akhtarul Wasey and Maulana Badaruddin Ajmal.

--IANS

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