Rajnath Singh hails SC triple talaq verdict as 'historic act'

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday hailed the Supreme Court's verdict on triple talaq as a 'historic act' of judicial courage.

Singh took to his Twitter handle to say, "The Supreme Court's verdict on Triple Talaq is a historic act of judicial courage. It will strengthen the cause of women empowerment in India".

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court struck down the practice of Triple Talaq as 'unconstitutional' by a 3:2 majority.

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.

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", but did say that there was a need for parliament to legislate on the issue at the earliest.

"Even the minority view which upheld the practice certainly was conscious of the fact that there was a need for a reform and that is why by upholding the practice itself, they injuncted it," said the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

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