Triple talaq row: Barkha Shukla for consensus among all

Former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Barkha Shukla on Sunday said that the decision on triple talaq should be taken after a proper consensus among all parties, adding all efforts should be made to ensure that the women get justice.

"This is a matter of regret as injustice is being done to women. I believe the law should look into the matter.In case of triple talaq, I believe that the decision should be taken after consent from all parties," she told ANI.

"It is a good thing that women from that religion have come forward and have approached court. Now, let us see what decision the court takes. The decision has to come from a consensus of all people," she added.

The Centre on Saturday justified its stand against triple talaq, saying that it was motivated by the principles of gender justice while defending the Law Commission's attempt to sound people out on the desirability of having a Uniform Civil Code as an "academic exercise".

The Centre also said its stand on triple talaq is perfectly in sync with the spirit of the Constitution, which is based on the principles of gender equality and justice.

On October 7, the Centre had opposed in the Supreme Court the practice of triple talaq among Muslims, maintaining that it cannot be regarded as an essential part of religion.

Welcoming the ongoing debate on triple talaq in the country, Union Minister for Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad said there must be a discussion on the status of a large section of women in a secular country like India as to whether or not they should be kept in a vulnerable condition.

The Ministry of Law and Justice, in its affidavit, also referred to constitutional principles like gender equality, secularism, international covenants, religious practices and marital law prevalent in various Islamic countries to drive home the point that the practice of triple talaq, 'nikah halala' and polygamy needed to be adjudicated upon afresh by the apex court.