Muslim women meet Prasad to thank Modi govt for Talaq ordinance

A group of Muslim women on Sunday met Union Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to thank him and the Narendra Modi government for bringing an ordinance to make the practice of instant triple talaq a penal offence.

The women who gathered at the minister's residence here from various areas of Patna also greeted the minister with roses as a mark of their gratitude.

"I thank the minister and the government for bringing the ordinance. It will help us lodge a case if a husband deserts his wife through triple talaq. We are happy we got freedom," Reshma Khatoon, one of the women who called on Prasad, told PTI.

The Union cabinet had on September 19 cleared an ordinance to make the practice of instant triple talaq a penal offence, citing compelling necessity for the move as the practice, annulled by the Supreme Court, continued unabated.

"Men used to divorce their wives in a fit of rage. Such a practise cannot be allowed in a civilised society. Now with the ordinance in place, we can hope for some relief in future," said Ayesha Khatoon, another woman.

She added, "Men would try to mend their ways with the fear of the law. They would be afraid of going to jail after pronouncing instant triple talaq."