National-level netball player approaches Modi, Adityanath for triple talaq ban

Shumayla Javed was given triple talaq two years ago for giving birth to a girl child.

A national-level netball player has approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath seeking a ban on triple talaq, joining the growing chorus against the social practice among Muslims.

Triple talaq has been thrust under the national spotlight after a number of women approached the Supreme Court to ban the practice(PTI File Photo for representational purpose)

Shumayla Javed was divorced by her husband, uttering the Arabic word thrice, two years ago for giving birth to a girl child.

She has now written to two leaders seeking justice for the victims of the social practice, Shumayla told media persons at Amroha in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

Shumayla , who lives with her parents in Peerzada locality of the town, said the unilateral oral divorce granted to Muslim men by Islamic law has ruined her life.

Terming the practice a “social evil” she said it should be weeded out to provide a better life to Muslim women.

Triple talaq – under which a Muslim man can divorce his wife by uttering “talaq” thrice – has been thrust under the national spotlight after a number of women approached the Supreme Court to ban the ritual.

Modi in his‘Mann ki Baat’ programme called the practice anti-women.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) is against a blanket ban on the practice. It has, however, called for a social boycott of those who misuse the practice by repeating the Arabic word for divorce thrice in one sitting.

Shumayla got married to Farooq Ali of Lucknow in February 2014.

Describing her ordeal, she claimed a few months after the marriage her in-laws started torturing her for dowry. Her life took a turn for the worst after she gave birth to a baby girl in May, 2015. Eventually her husband gave her “talaq” in April 2016.

She participated in the all India netball championships thrice.

Shumayla, who now works in an office as a data entry operator to earn her livelihood, alleged police had refused to register her complaint.

But now after the change of regime in the state, she is hopeful of getting justice.

Earlier, two other women from the city--- Mariam and Shaheen—too raised their voice against the Islamic practice and demanded its abolishment.

Amroha MLA and former minister Mehboob Ali said he would extend all possible help to the player in her battle for justice.