Push for equality
Marking a first in the political history of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly opposed the practice of triple talaq in the Muslim community. Addressing a ‘maha parivartan’ rally in Bundelkhand, Modi asserted that government had a responsibility to protect the constitutional rights of Muslim women from practices that degrade (प्रतिष्ठाहीन करना) their status in society. This comes after government’s recent opposition to triple talaq and polygamy (बहुविवाह) among Muslims in the Supreme Court. It’s welcome that government has based its position on constitutional principles such as gender equality and secularism. Religious practices, no matter how intrinsically (आंतरिक रूप से/वस्तुतः) linked to tradition, can’t override the Constitution.
Plus, for far too long the Muslim community in India has been dominated by diktat (फरमान) from the clergy (याचकगण /पुरोहित वर्ग) . And this happened because the country’s political leadership progressively ceded space to Muslim orthodoxy (धर्मनिष्ठता) in the hope of reaping (ख़त्म करने का / समाप्त करने का) political dividends. This in turn has marginalized modern Muslim voices and relegated (पीछे करना / निर्वासित करना) Muslim women to second-class status. Consider also that several Muslim-majority countries prohibit practices such as triple talaq and polygamy – Pakistan and Bangladesh don’t allow triple talaq while polygamy is prohibited in countries like Turkey and Turkmenistan.
That said, the Modi government can’t be selective in its approach. While Modi himself did try to balance his criticism of triple talaq by also condemning (निंदनीय) female foeticide prevalent (प्रचलित) among Hindus, this isn’t an exact comparison – though a major social problem, female foeticide isn’t a religious issue. If the aim is to strive (प्रयत्नरत/ प्रयासरत) for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) BJP must also revise its majoritarian positions on a gamut (सारे पहलु/ विस्तार) of issues, such as the beef ban being championed by several of its state governments, or building a Ram temple on the site of the demolished Babri Masjid. Similarly, not cracking down hard on self-proclaimed Gau rakshaks who go around dispensing their brand of vigilante (सजग) justice, targeting mostly Muslims and Dalits, goes against the very spirit of a uniform code of governance if not a UCC.
For a common civil code needs to be based on secular considerations, not defer to the religious sentiments of one community while reading out constitutional principles to another. Majority appeasement (तुष्टीकरण/तृप्तिपूरक) is as much of a problem as minority appeasement. In practice, this will make resistance to a UCC difficult to overcome and even BJP will lack the appetite for it.
Degrade (verb)
Break down or deteriorate (the standard) प्रतिष्ठाहीन करना
Synonyms: Demote, Cheapen, Worsen, Deteriorate
Example: Current education system has degraded the quality of students in India.
Intrinsically (adverb)
Belonging to the essential nature of a thing. आंतरिक रूप से/वस्तुतः
Synonyms: Essentially, Mostly, Factually, De Facto
Example: A man with a generous heart can see the intrinsic value in something which looks worthless to others.
Diktat (noun)
An order or decree imposed by someone in power without popular consent. फरमान
Synonyms: Behest, Order, Command, Instructions
Example: “The diktat must be followed by everyone”, said the prophet.
Orthodoxy (noun)
A belief or a way of thinking that is accepted as true or correct./ authorized or generally accepted theory, doctrine, or practice. धर्मनिष्ठता
Synonyms: Doctrine, Faith, Dogma, Credo
Example: The minister called me an upstart when I dared to question his orthodox views.
Reaping (adjective)
Receive (something, especially something beneficial) as a consequence of one's own or another's actions. उपार्जित करना /अर्जित करना
Synonyms: Receive, Obtain, Get, Acquire, Derive, Procure
Example: All political leaders are generally demagogue for reaping divisive gain.
Relegate (verb)
Moving towards an inferior rank or position to. पीछे करना / निर्वासित करना
Synonyms: Downgrade, Lower, Lower In Rank, Status, Put Down, Move Down
Example: They aim to prevent women from being relegated to a secondary role.
Condemn (verb)
To say in a strong and definite way that someone or something is bad or wrong. निंदा करना
Synonyms: Condemn, Decry, Excoriate
Example: During his speech, the president took a moment to condemn those politicians who were not working to end the budget crisis.
Prevalent (adjective)
Widespread in a particular area or at a particular time. प्रचलित
Synonyms: Widespread, Prevailing, Usual, Predominant
Example: You should not assume everyone is a drug user simply because drug use is prevalent.
Strive (verb)
Make great efforts to achieve or obtain something. प्रयत्नरत/ प्रयासरत
Synonyms: Endeavor, Practice, Try, Attempt, Toil
Example: Even though she was the best swimmer on the team, she continued to strive to improve her swim times.
Gamut (adjective)
The complete range or scope of something. सारे पहलु/ विस्तार
Synonyms: Range, Spectrum, Span, Extent, Reach
Example: The Company has a gamut of products ranging from infant toys to electrical wall outlets.
Appeasement (noun)
The action or process of appeasing/placating. तुष्टीकरण/तृप्तिपूरक
Synonyms: Placation, Soothing, Assuagement, Fulfillment
Example: At the time of elections the voter appeasement is so high that all voted turns out to be biased.
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