Those Opposing Rights Of Women Have 'Talibani Mentality, Not Hindustani': Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Terming this kind of mindset as a stumbling block to women's liberty, dignity and empowerment, Naqvi said people with this kind of thought process had opposed making triple talaq a penal offence.

New Delhi: Union Minorities Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Saturday hit out at those criticising the Centre's decision to raise the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years and said that the constitutional rights of women in India should not be influenced by 'Talibani thinking'.

Addressing an event here to mark ‘Minorities Day’, Naqvi said, "I am shocked and surprised to know that some people are slamming this decision as they feel that a girl would become rogue if the age of marriage is raised to 21 years. This kind of thought process can only be termed as 'Talibani thinking' rather than Hindustani thinking."

Terming this kind of mindset as a stumbling block for women's liberty, dignity and empowerment, Naqvi said that people with this kind of thought process had opposed making the practice of instant triple talaq a penal offence.

Naqvi noted that while on one hand, believers of almost all religions of the world live in India; on the other, a large number of atheists exist in the country with dignity and equal constitutional and social rights.

He said that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked with the commitment towards Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas over the last seven years ensuring significant reforms and inclusive development of all sections of the society, including minorities.

The Modi government, Naqvi said, has provided a credible platform to indigenous artisans from every corner of the country. More than seven lakh artisans, craftsmen and people associated with them have been provided employment in the last six years.

He also noted that the present government has provided scholarships to about five crore students from six notified minority communities -- Parsis, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, Christians and Muslims, with about 50% of the beneficiaries being girl students. This has resulted in a significant decline in school dropout rate among the minorities, especially Muslim girls, he added.

School dropout rate among Muslim girls which was more than 70% before 2014 has now come down to less than 30%. “Our aim is to make it zero per cent in future,” Naqvi asserted.

Minister of State for Minorities John Barla; National Commission for Minorities and Chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura also attended the event.