Women activists welcome Allahabad HC ruling on triple talaq

Welcoming the ruling of the Allahabad High Court on triple talaq, women activists on Thursday said it is a very unlawful act and must be abolished.

"I welcome the verdict of Allahabad High Court, it's true that triple talaq is not constitutional and it must be abolished. We are very happy with the decision. I hope the Supreme Court also takes a correct decision. Muslim women has taken a strong stand on it," Women activist Zakia Soman told ANI.

Echoing similar sentiments, another women activist Ranjana Kumari said the Allahabad decision on triple talaq was a great judgment.

"We are extremely happy with the decision of Allahabad HC. Everyone should have equal rights whether its men or women," she said.

However, downplaying the Allahabad High Court's ruling on triple talaq, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) member Kamal Faruqui had earlier said the divorce system is part of Islamic laws, adding there can be no interference in the same.

Asserting that triple talaq is an easy route to end a bitter marriage, Faruqui said Islam is a religion, which has bestowed the women with many rights.

The high court observed that the triple talaq practice sanctioned under Muslim Personal Law that governs marriage, property and divorce violates the rights of Muslim women.

"Triple talaq is unconstitutional, it violates the rights of Muslim women," ruled the high court, adding that no personal law board is above the Constitution.

Several women have filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of the triple talaq practice. The Central Government has also told the top court that it is against gender injustice and for equality between men and women under the Constitution.

However, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has defended the practice, saying it is better to divorce a woman than to kill her. The rights bestowed by religion can't be questioned in a court of law, it said.