Fatwa department chairman welcomes ban on triple talaq

In the wake of the Muslim practice of Triple Talaq being declared 'unconstitutional' by the Supreme Court, Chairman of the Fatwa Department Arshad Farooqi, while welcoming the same, said the entire community was hoping for the same.

"We welcome the Supreme Court's decision. This is what the whole community was waiting for. With a new legislation to be drafted, the misuse of talaq and subsequent mistreatment of women will be curbed," he said.

The apex Court on Tuesday struck down the Triple Talaq practice as 'unconstitutional' by a 3:2 majority, and directed the Union Government to formulate a new legislation within six months.

The five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) J.S. Khehar, deciding on the verdict, was seemingly split on the legality of the practice.

Justice Nariman, Justice Lalit and Justice Kurien opposed the view of Justice Nazir and Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar and dubbed the practice of Triple Talaq as unconstitutional and unislamic.

The apex court reportedly referred to the abolition of triple talaq in the Islamic countries and asked "why can't independent India get rid of it."

The decision came soon after the apex court resumed the hearing on the matter on Tuesday morning.

CJI Khehar, while pronouncing the judgement, however, upheld the practice and said, "Talaq-e-biddat is not violative of articles 14, 15, 21 and 25 of the Constitution."

The CJI, further using his power under Article 142, directed the Union of India to form a proper legislature regarding 'talaq-e-iddat.'

CJI Khehar said that all parties must decide keeping politics aside.

The constitution bench had reserved its verdict on May 18 after a six-day marathon hearing.