Minister who called burqa 'evil custom' backtracks from statement
What's the story
After his remarks calling burqa an evil custom triggered a row, Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Anand Swarup Shukla on Thursday backtracked, saying women should have the freedom to wear their choice of clothes.
Shukla had on Wednesday described the practice of wearing a burqa as an inhuman and evil custom and compared it to the banned triple talaq.
Quote
Women should feel free to wear whatever they want
"Women of all religions should have the freedom to choose what to wear. Nothing should be imposed on them in the name of conservatism and tradition. Religious leaders should take the society forward with the 21st century," Shukla said.
Further statements
'Progressive' women are shunning the practice, Shukla claimed
Claiming that the burqa has been banned in several Islamic countries, Shukla said Muslim women should have the right to choose whether or not to wear it and those with progressive thinking are shunning the practice.
On being asked if the government will ban burqas, he said, "This topic is about society. Muslim religious leaders should take note and talk to Muslim women."
Triple talaq
Shukla compared Burqa to the triple talaq
However, Shukla had on Wednesday said, Muslim women will be freed from burqa like triple talaq.
The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act 2019 makes the practice of instant divorce through triple talaq a punishable offense. Under the provisions of the Act, a Muslim man who pronounces triple talaq upon his wife can be sentenced to jail for up to three years.
Previous complaints
Shukla also complained about the volume of loudspeakers at mosques
Recently, Shukla complained to the Ballia district magistrate that he is facing difficulties in discharge of his duties due to loudspeakers at mosques and said their volume should be fixed according to the court orders.
Elaborating on it, he said the use of sound amplifiers from 10 pm to 6 am should be restricted and the volume should be controlled even during the daytime.