Is triple talaq fundamental to Islam, SC asks

The Supreme Court on Thursday heard a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of "triple talaq" and to know whether it was fundamental to Islam.

"We are going to decide the validity of triple talaq," said Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, heading a Constitution bench.

He asked the parties concerned to focus on whether triple talaq was fundamental to Islamic religion.

The Chief Justice said that petitioners and respondents would address the court on whether triple talaq was an enforceable fundamental right.

The bench sought suggestions on the broad parameters of the directions the court may issue while deciding the validity of triple talaq.

Other judges on the Constitution bench are Justice Kurian Joseph, Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer.

The court said both sides would get two days each to argue their case. Thereafter, both sides would get a day each to submit rejoinders.

Triple talaq is a practice under which a husband can verbally divorce his wife by uttering the word "talaq" thrice.

This has been opposed by a section of the Muslim society while others say it cannot be changed as it is part of Muslim personal law.

The Modi government wants triple talaq to go. The practice is not followed in many Muslim countries including Pakistan.

--IANS

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