Cases declined 80 per cent after Triple Talaq law: Modi

New Delhi: After the Triple Talaq law was introduced, an 80 per cent decline has happened in such cases since September 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. Describing the practice as a "social evil", Modi said that such a decline points out the success of governments schemes on women empowerment, The Indian Express reported.

Modi said that his government took decisions in recent times aiming to serve equal opportunities to "sons and daughters". It has increased maternity leave and fixed a common marriage age, and thus increased women's participation in every field. 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' and 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' helped improve the sex ratio and freed women from open defecation, respectively, he said. He said women themselves are leading the change in the country and its progressive efforts.

Later he praised Indian scientists' efforts in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. Then he talked about antique idols being smuggled out of India. He briefed the country's history in idol making and how the idols are connected with India's soul. The government had increased its efforts to get the stolen artefacts back while adding that the countries such as America, Britain, Holland, France, Canada, Germany, Singapore, where the items are, now also feels it should return them to their home.

Further, he praised Tanzanian lip-sync artists Kili Paul and his sister Neema Paul for their performance, singing Indian songs including Jana Gana Mana' on the occasion of Republic Day. He urged Indian youth to make videos of popular songs in Indian languages.

Modi also spoke about the importance of mother tongue and repeated the government's efforts to make professional course syllabuses into regional languages. He also hailed the Ayurveda medicine, indigenous to India.

After, he mentioned the "Mission Jal Thal", introduced to clean lakes and ponds in Srinagar, saying that it is getting massive community support, he added.