Congress welcomes verdict on triple talaq as affirmation of Muslim women's rights

The Congress party, on 22 August, welcomed the verdict on triple talaq as an affirmation of the rights of the Muslim women, which were perverted over the years.

"The verdict is an affirmation of the rights of the Muslim women and gives relief to them against being subjected to discrimination by the practice. We welcome the acceptance of reality by the court and we welcome the verdict of the Supreme Court," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Further speaking about the Muslim Personal Law Board's plea before the Supreme Court against the practice of instant triple talaq, Surjewala said that the verdict is a culmination and acceptance of a wider wisdom.

"Several interveners, including amicus curiae, as also the Muslim Personal Law Board had pleaded before the Supreme Court against the practice of instant triple talaq by speaking it instantly three times, on the ground that it deviated from the practice prescribed by Islamic Law and has no sanction, either in the Quran or in the Hadith- the two main sources of Islamic jurisprudence," he said.

"The Supreme Court's verdict is a culmination and acceptance of wider wisdom, as also the recognition of the rights of Muslim women. We welcome the same," he added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also welcomed the 'historic' verdict on triple talaq and said, it's not about anyone's victory or loss, rather it is about a Muslim woman's sense of equality in the country.

"I welcome the historic verdict on behalf of the party. This verdict is not about anyone's victory or loss. This verdict is about a Muslim woman's equality and democracy in the country," BJP chief Amit Shah said here.

"The triple talaq is illegal in many other countries. The Supreme Court, with this verdict, has given the Muslim women in this country a way to live with a sense of equality and self respect," he added.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court struck down the practice of Triple Talaq as 'unconstitutional' by a 3:2 majority.

The five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) J.S. Khehar, deciding on the verdict, was seemingly split on the legality of the practice.

Justice Nariman, Justice Lalit and Justice Kurien opposed the view of Justice Nazir and Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar and dubbed the practice of Triple Talaq as unconstitutional and unislamic.

The Supreme Court further asked the Union Government to formulate a new legislation within six months.

The apex court reportedly referred to the abolition of triple talaq in the Islamic countries and asked "why can't independent India get rid of it."

The decision came soon after the apex court resumed the hearing on the matter on Tuesday morning.

CJI Khehar, while pronouncing the judgement, however, upheld the practice and said, "Talaq-e-biddat is not violative of articles 14, 15, 21 and 25 of the Constitution."

The CJI, further using his power under Article 142, directed the Union of India to form a proper legislature regarding 'talaq-e-iddat.'

CJI Khehar said that all parties must decide keeping politics aside.

The constitution bench had reserved its verdict on 18 May after a six-day marathon hearing. 

-ANI