Centre to 'examine' Shariat court proposal

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is on an official visit to London, said that he will look into All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB)'s Shariat court proposal.

"When I go back to India, I will examine the demand and then react to it. We have taken a very firm position as far as Triple Talaq is concerned. It's not a question of religion or community. It's a question of gender justice," he said here.

Meanwhile, 35 victims of Nikah Halala and triple talaq in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly urged the Government to take stronger steps to end such practices.

Sabina, a Halala victim, said, "These so called traditions are nothing but exploitation of women in the name of Shariat. I have registered an FIR andwant justice."

The AIMPLB had proposed to set up Shariat courts in all districts of the country, to resolve all issues within the Islamic law, instead of approaching other courts.

Earlier, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, PP Chaudhary, argued that the establishment of any court would have to be sanctioned by law.

"As far as opening of a court is concerned, it can only be in accordance with the law. It (opening of any court) should be competent under the law. Otherwise, any verdict given by such courts is against the Constitution, and therefore, is not enforceable," he said.

Dismissing the Shariat Court proposal, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy told ANI that it is a de-facto way of dividing the country and creating secession.

He further said that the people, who are trying to make such an attempt, should be arrested under the National Security Act.

(ANI)