‘We Women Want Conclave and Awards’ on Monday where situation of women under the Modi government was discussed. It also discussed at length the innovative steps taken the Centre to fundamentally change the status of women in this country. The event was attended by a number of guests including Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed and BJP spokesperson Shazia Ilmi.
During the conclave, both Shama and Ilmi crossed swords about government policies on Triple Talaq and Hijab. Shama said during the ceremony that there was no place of Triple Talaq in the Quran and that the Modi government made it a punishable offence. It also criminalises men who abandon their wives and children, be it Muslim or non-Muslim.
On Hijab, she said, “It is the right of women to wear hijab or not.” Countering it, Ilmi said, “Women’s overall development has been the cornerstone of every central scheme of this government. Our government did not succumb to orthodox anti-women legislatioin and enacted the legislation that gives women the right to question triple talaq which was unconstitutional and un-islamic. Finally, good constitution, good sense and the spirit of the Quran have prevailed, thanks to the BJP government.”
Ilmi responded to the criticism of the hijab by saying, “It is about the law and about a uniform. Women who proudly wear their uniforms in the police and army are examples we can point to.