Divided voices: Women favour talaq move

KOZHIKODE: The recommendation of the Union government in the Supreme Court against the triple talaq has the Muslim clerics opposing it, scholars divided over it and the Muslim women’s organisations and activists supporting it. A section of the religious leaders consider it as a step towards imposing a Uniform Civil Code on the nation and express fears that this could be the start of a situation where judges would decide and interpret the Islamic laws which are based on Quran.

Reiterating his stand on the issue, Sunni scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Abub-acker Musaliyar said the move would pose a threat to the existing harmony in the nation. “It is better to maintain status quo which has been there for the last 70 years or so,” he said. “It is impossible to bring Uniform Civil Code to control the individual lives of people from various communities,” he said. Kerala Nadvathul Muja-hideen (KNM-Madavoor faction) is of the opinion that triple talaq in its existing form is outdated and is against the spirit of Islam.

KNM leader and All-India Islahi movement general secretary Dr Hussein Madavoor said that the three talaqs in fact are three chances to the couple to resume family life at various periods. “The third talaq is the final stage where the couple decides finally that it is tough to continue life together,” he said. “In each stage there should be reconciliatory attempts by friends, family and community leaders.” He, however, said it is improper for the state and judges to interpret Quran and other customs of Islam. “It is up to Muslim clerics and scholars to reform the religious systems,” he said.

Samastha Kerala Jam-Iyyathul Ulema leader Kottamala Bappu Muzaliyar warned that the move is against the Constitutional rights enjoyed by all religious groups. “The moves will end up violating the fundamental rights and is an attempt towards imposing uniform civil code,” he said. Muslim women’s groups and activists have, however, come out in support of the move calling it a progressive step to ensure dignity of Muslim women.

Noted activist V.P. Suhra of Nisa, an organisation which joined in the petition in the Supreme Court demanding elimination of such “outdated systems”, told DC that the affidavit is a small step towards ensuring right to live and equal justice for the Muslim women. “We demand speedy implementation of uniform civil code and stopping all these anti-women customs imposed in the name of religion and all in favour of men,” she said. “I am fighting for reforms in the religion as I am a believer and want the religion exist in the years to come,” she said.

Lawyer and activist C.K. Seenath of Punarjani told DC that they stand for judicial divorce for Muslim women. “The marriages are valid only after we get them registered,” she said. “The certificates issued by religious centres (mahals) are invalid. So  a divorce also will be valid only when we ensure it though legal system,” she said, adding that the stand taken y the Union law ministry at SC is a small step towards it.