Triple Talaq bill: Muslim League seeks Kunalikutty's explanation for skipping debate and voting

Malappuram: Muslim League's Kerala President has asked for explanation from PK Kunhalikutty, one of its two Lok Sabha members the other being ET Mohammed Basheer, for not participating in the debate or voting on the triple talaq bill. The bill was debated in the house and passed on Thursday.

League's state president Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal sought Kunhalikutty's explanation amidst wide criticism about his skipping the session and travelling abroad to attend the wedding reception of a friend's daughter in Abu Dhabi.

Kunhalikutty responded to criticisms saying that originally there was a collective decision together with Congress to boycott the session, and subsequently a sudden change of tactics was made after discussions with other parties. He also explained in his press note that the decision was taken in consultation with ET Muhammed Basheer.

The MP's absence in the house is kept in focus by critics who charge Muslim League's new national leadership with negligence towards issues of minorities. When the leadership evades queries without stating a clear stand, other organizations in the community have come out in protest against League failing to make use of its parliamentary presence to air the community's issues and concerns. Samastha Kerala Jam-iathul Ulama, MES, INL, Welfare Party and Solidarity have all joined this protest.

While Kunhalikutty failed to be present in the Lok Sabha because he wanted to attend a friend's daughters wedding reception, AIMIM leader Asaduddeen Owaisi ignored his own daughter's wedding to attend the session, actively participated in the debates, and voted against the bill.

As for Congress and BJP, both had issued whip to all their members to attend the session without fail.