Triple Talaq Ordinance: More empowerment for Muslim women or mere politics?

The Union Cabinet passed an ordinance on Wednesday to make instant triple talaq an offence. The Islamic practice that allows men to divorce their wives immediately by uttering the word “talaq” thrice, had been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court last year. The bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha in December last year but has been stuck in the Rajya Sabha where the NDA does not have a majority.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad called the ordinance a compelling necessity. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi also hit out at the government, calling the Ordinance unconstitutional and anti-women.

Petitioners in the triple talaq case feel that the opposition should have collaborated with the government for the sake of justice for Muslim women. Muslim women rights activists are now hoping that parties will rise above politics to pass the Bill in the winter session of parliament and pave the way for true empowerment of Muslim women in the country