Shiv Sena bats for ending triple talaq system

It also slammed the secular people, who have voiced their opinion on ill-traditions in Hinduism but are maintaining a silence on this issue

The Shiv Sena on Thursday voiced its support for abolishing the triple talaq system, saying this tradition illustrates how tough is the battle of justice for Muslim women in the country.

"The All India Muslim Personal Law Board and other related organisations refused to make any changes in the 'triple talaq' tradition last year. The tradition illustrates how tough is the battle of justice for Muslim women in our country," the Shiv Sena said in an editorial in the party mouthpiece, Saamana.

The editorial also slammed the secular people, who have voiced their opinion on ill-traditions in Hinduism but are maintaining a silence on this issue.

"The secular people, who used to advocate their opinion on other issues, are maintaining a stoic silence on the issue of triple talaq. They talk of ill-traditions in Hinduism, but are maintaining a silence on the ill-traditions in Islam," the editorial added.

The Shiv Sena said this movement is getting a new lease of life after the 1980's Shah Bano case.

"Women like Shamina Yasmin from Guwahati and Shamima Farooqui along with Saira Banu (who challenged the triple talaq in the Supreme Court) are still fighting this battle," the editorial said.

The Shiv Sena further said the fight of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) is getting a pan India support and will eventually act as a ray of hope for the Muslim women.

"There would be several attempts to suppress these voices and a comprehensive effort at every level is needed to make this movement a success or else the Muslim women won't be able to see a morning rise when triple talaq is abolished," the editorial stated.

The reaction from the Shiv Sena comes after over 50,000 Muslim women signed a petition to abolish the triple talaq system of divorce, which has come under fire lately by women's groups for its widespread misuse.

The BMMA has sought the National Commission for Women's support to abolish the practice of 'triple talaq' while dubbing it as an un-Quranic practice.

A case is being heard in the Supreme Court in which petitioner Shayara Bano has challenged the constitutionality of Section 2 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, in so far as it seeks to recognise and validate polygamy, triple talaq and nikah halala.