Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Friday asked the All India Muslim Personal Law Board not to politicise the issue of triple talaq. The Union minister said, “You [AIMPLB] want to boycott Law Commission, then it’s your choice. Triple talaq is being linked to Uniform Civil Code but main issues are gender justice, non-discrimination and dignity of women.”

The minister added that it was not proper to drag the prime minister into everything, reported dna. He said, “Why is the Muslim Law Board talking about border security? Why make political comments on PM Modi?”

Naidu’s comment comes a day after the Muslim board decided to boycott the questionnaire released by the Law Commission to seek public opinion on religious practices. The board had argued that the Uniform Civil Code was unconstitutional, and had accused the government of creating discord between communities.

In a press conference, general secretary of AIMPLB general secretary Maulana Wali Rehmani, had said, “It seems that the Modi government is using UCC as a ruse to divert attention from its failures of the last 30 months. It is a new war the government is waging. Sarhad to sambhal nahin rahi, andarooni jung ki taiyyari kar rahein hain [They cannot protect the borders but are preparing for internal strife].” The AIMPLB will also start a nation-wide signature campaign against the Centre's affidavit on triple talaq.

In the past, the board had faced criticism from activists for saying that while it was the "least appreciated" means of divorce, triple talaq was permitted under the Shariat, or Muslim personal law. In an affidavit submitted before the top court, the board had also said that the Supreme Court did not have the right to decide on the validity of the practice, and that "personal laws cannot be re-written in the name of social reforms".