Hyderabad: The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Thursday said that they will welcome ‘The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, popularly known as the Triple Talaq Bill, if the government removes serious lacunae from the Bill.
AIMPLB spokesperson Maulana Syed Khaleel-ur-Rahman Sajjad Noamani said that the Bill is full of serious lacunae and flaws and if they were removed, the board was ready to accept it. “The board is not against the Bill but there are lacunae which violate the Constitution and fundamental rights,” he said.
His strongest objection to the Bill was that it covertly and cleverly seeks to ban not only the instant Triple Talaq but also the institution of talaq itself.
“The Attorney General (AG) had told the Supreme Court during the hearing of a case that once this Bill is cleared, the government will take steps to prohibit all forms of ‘talaq’. The judges were surprised at this statement,” he said.
“When a judge asked the AG about what would be the option for a Muslim husband if he wants to give ‘talaq’, the AG replied that the government will pass a law later,” the spokesperson said.
Flaying the government, Mr Noamani said that it is a matter of shame that the government is taking efforts to pass such a ‘dangerous law’ in the country.
Noamani said that making instant ‘triple talaq’ a cognizable offence is a dangerous move as it will be open to misuse and anybody can lodge a police complaint against anyone alleging that he has given a ‘triple talaq’.
“Even if the wife denies, police can arrest him,” the AIMPLB spokesperson explained. He thanked those parties, including NDA members, who understood the issue and opposed the Bill.
Muslim scholars want the AIMPLB to discuss the issues pertaining to ‘khullah’ and cases where the husbands are absconding.
Muslim Board looks to strengthen network
The AIMPLB plans to strengthen its network across the country so as to be able to reach out to people more effectively. Over the past few years, the board has been shown in poor light by a section of Muslim scholars and intellectuals because of the Babri Masjid case and the Triple Talaaq Bill.
AIMPLB spokesperson Sajjad Naumani says, “We are taking up several social reforms and reaching out to people in villages and mandals across the country. Several scholars are with us, and their services will be utilised.” The board plans to take up an awareness campaign against social evils on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Telegram. It has also set up a women’s wing to increase awareness among women about the Islamic Law and their rights.
Mr Noumani says that the AIMPLB will discuss the progress of the codification of Islamic law in English along with an explanation of the logic and rationale behind the Shariah law. “Once this is done, it will eliminate misunderstandings about Islam held by other communities.” Another point on the agenda will be the ban on performing namaz (prayers) in mosques under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India.
“It is unfortunate that while namaz is prohibited, criminal activities such as drinking and gambling are committed within these mosques,” says Mr Noumani. He says that the Board will take appropriate democratic action after going through a survey report on such mosques in the country.
