(Express photo by Praveen Jain)In the summer of 1986, the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi pushed for the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights Divorce) Act to negate a Supreme Court order (popularly known as the Shah Bano ruling). Not just the Congress, many parties in the Opposition including the Trinamool Congress were very cautious. Such was their caution that while Congress members did not vote for the amendments moved by their colleagues, the Trinamool Congress did not even participate in the debate. They did not want to be seen as hostage to Muslim clergy and stalling legislation projected as a historic step to ensure justice to Muslim women. That’s why there was no floor coordination among Congress, Trinamool, Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Left which are traditionally articulate on minority issues.

Source: Indian Express December 28, 2017 23:26 UTC