What was need to convert 'triple talaq' into UCC in affidavit, asks Shamina Shafiq

Criticising the Central Government for politicising the 'triple talaq' issue, former member of the national Commission for Women (NCW) Shamina Shafiq on Monday said it is a very serious matter for the Muslim women, but it is unfortunate that the Centre has given a different dimension to the petition.

"The 'triple talaq' is very serious matter for the Muslim women and it could not be denied that this is a problem, because it is a problem. However, it is unfortunate that the Central Government has given a different dimension to the petition - what was the need to convert it into the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)," she sought to know.

Speaking to ANI, Shafiq said, "If the government was serious to find out the solution to the problems of the Muslim women then the court was enough to take stock of the situation and give its comments on it."

Calling upon the Muslim Personal Law Board to come forward to find a solution to this pressing problem, she said, "The Personal Board should come forward in this matter to find out a solution to the problem. The law board should accept that 'triple talaq' is a problem of the Muslim women and should workout a solution. They will have to find a solution because this matter is not going to stop here. Earlier, the situation was different, but today there is media, globalisation, and Internet, and we know what is happening in other countries of the world."

She further said it is very unfortunate that some Muslim went to the court and not just speaking for themselves but they are speaking for thousands and thousands such women who are living in the fear of 'triple talaq'.

"This position is unnecessarily being politicised and being put under the UCC. The UCC is a different issue and needs to be seen separately," she added.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday urged people not to confuse the issue of triple talaq with the UCC as the issue with regard to the constitutional validity of triple talaq is distinct from the UCC.

Suggesting that personal laws are subjected to time to time amendments, he said irrespective of whether the UCC is today possible or otherwise, a pertinent question arises with regard to reforms within the personal laws of various communities.

In his official Facebook page, Jaitley wrote that government's stand on triple talaq issue is clear that personal laws have to be constitutionally compliant and the institution of triple talaq will have to be judged on the yardstick of equality and the Right to Live with Dignity.

He said the Government's affidavit in the triple talaq case recognises this evolution. The Finance Minister statement follows the 's recent decision to initiated an exercise on revision and reform of family laws.

On October 7, the Law Commission of India had issued a 16-point questionnaire, seeking public response on the various aspects of the UCC.