The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), a representative body of Muslims, on Tuesday said it welcomes the Supreme Court judgment on triple talaq as it vindicates the organisation's stand and "accords protection to Muslim personal law".
"As a representative body, we welcome the judgment”, the AIMPLB said adding that “judgment vindicates our stand and ensures the fundamental right of citizens of this country to freely profess and practice their religious faith/beliefs."
It said that as far as the practice of talaq-e-biddat, or administering divorce in one sitting is concerned, the Board had already submitted to the court that the practice of three pronouncements of talaq in one sitting "though has a basis in religious texts and belief, is not the best way and...is seldom resorted to".
The AIMPLB pointed out that the reference to Parliament by Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice Abdul Nazir to address the issue of talaq-e-biddat is "inconsequential being the minority view on this point".
"The Supreme Court verdict therefore cannot be misused by the government to try to interfere with personal laws through legislation," it said. AIMPLB Member Kamal Farooqui called the judgment "historic".
AIMPLB Women’s Wing Calls SC Ruling “Contradictory”
The women's wing of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) however, termed the judgement as "contradictory" and "fractured".
Dr Asma Zehra, chief organiser of the women's wing of the AIMPLB said that while they respect the judgement, they do not appreciate interference in the Muslim Personal Law as right to religious freedom is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution.
She also believed that the legislation on the issue could open doors for interference in the Muslim Personal Law.
Noting that the practice is already vanishing in the Muslim community, she said the judgement will have very little impact on society.
The AIMPLB will chalk out its future course of action with regard to the Supreme Court's verdict on triple talaq in its working committee meeting slated for 10 September in Bhopal, an official of the body said.
The meeting was convened earlier and its agenda was issued yesterday, member of the Board's working committee Zafaryab Jilani said.
(With inputs from IANS and PTI)
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