‘Triple talaq a personal issue, politicians shouldn’t interfere’
While women-oriented associations like the All India Muslim Mahila Andolan are fighting for the rights of women and appealing for a ban on practices like triple talaq, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and the All India Milli Council members assert that triple talaq is a personal issue and politicians should not interfere.
While women-oriented associations like the All India Muslim Mahila Andolan are fighting for the rights of women and appealing for a ban on practices like triple talaq, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and the All India Milli Council members assert that triple talaq is a personal issue and politicians should not interfere.
“Every religion has its own set of traditions and practices. And they are being created by responsible people. We should not disturb them,” said Arif Masood, president of Istaqbaliya Committee of the All India Milli Council in Bhopal.
The council will be holding a two-day meeting in Bhopal on Friday and Saturday in which 300 people including members of council, religious leaders and workers will participate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, batting for women’s rights, recently said triple talaq should not be made into a Hindu-Muslim issue and people should work towards the protection of rights of the women.
To this, Maulana Ahmed, vice-president of the All India Milli Council, said, “He is just polarising the matter to draw voters for upcoming elections. He did not choose to speak over santhara practice, then why triple talaq. He does not interfere in any other religion’s practices. He himself is politicising the issue. And, in fact, there is no issue. If he demands for certain amendments in the concerned law or practice, we will not accept. We will stick to our stand.”
Citing their reasons for standing up for the practice, Maseeh Alam, member of AIMPLB, said, “These are age-old practices. They have nothing to do with rights. If a man does not want to live with a woman anymore, and vice versa, no law should force them to be together. And as far as women’s right are concerned, we have definite persons to deal with and counsel them. Things have been smooth till now and they will be good further too. Islam respects women and people who do not know about the religion and its practices should stop talking about it.”
However, Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan’s co-founder Noorjehan Safia Niaz said, “They will definitely do not want a change. Why will the men give an equal hand to the women? But it is a woman who continues to suffer. We will fight for equal rights. Now, even the PM has spoken about the issue. We are waiting for the Supreme Court to take a stand now.”