Women's rights activists welcome SC verdict on triple talaq

Bengaluru: "We Muslim women have won a major battle, we are grateful to the Prime Minister," said Nafees Fazal, a former minister, on Tuesday. She was speaking to Deccan Chronicle on Supreme Court's judgment on instant triple talaq. The Supreme Court on Tuesday has termed it as unconstitutional.

"Talaq should be performed according to the ways of the Sura Talaq which is specified in the Quran and extends to a period of three months," said Fazal. She also expressed her gratitude to the Prime Minister.

Coming down heavily on the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) she said, "The AIMPLB was formed only in 1973 and has no right to take decisions on behalf of Muslim women or issue fatwas. The Muslim scholars from Deoband and Bareilly are the ones who have the right to issue fatwas, " she angrily added.

The former minister brought out the flaws of instant Talaq and insisted how a married woman could be on the streets just due to her husband saying Talaq three times. "One moment you are married and the next you are on the streets. Both rich and poor women are affected by this illegal practice."

Questioning why Kapil Sibal represented AIMPLB in the Supreme Court, Fazal said, "Why did Kapil Sibal, who is a Congressman, represent the AIMPLB? Would you sell yourself for a little bit of money?” she asked.

Berating Congress Party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, Fazal said, "Gandhi tweeted saying that Welcome the SC’s decision setting aside instant #TripleTalaq. I congratulate the women who fought for justice." 

"Where was he all these years when people like me were fighting tooth and nail against this illegal practice of triple talaq?" she asked.

Veteran social activist Mazher Hussain said that, "The Supreme Court judgment is a landmark one." He insisted that this was an opportunity for other religions too to look into practices that were not fair and equal to all.

AIDWA - All India Democratic Women's Association, a left oriented women's organization, welcomed the judgment. "AIDWA welcomes the majority judgment in 'Shaira Bano vs Union of India' case in which the Supreme Court has held that triple Talaq is arbitrary and unconstitutional. It has adversely affected the lives of millions of Muslim women. They have been left traumatised and abandoned with this form of instant Talaq, which was increasingly being uttered through SMS, Skype etc."