WE HAVE OUR RIGHT, SAYS MUSLIM PANEL
Part of religious freedom: Muslim Board
Striking a defiant posture on the contentious issue of triple talaq, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday asserted that Muslims have the “constitutional” right to follow their personal law.
The two-day executive committee meeting of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board in Lucknow, categorically turned down the government’s interference in matters related to Shariat, triple talaq in particular.
On the Ayodhya dispute, the Law Board said that it would go by the Supreme Court verdict, instead of talks.
It said that religious freedom is the constitutional right of Muslims as in other communities of this country.
The AIMPLB said that negotiation on the Ayodhya issue would only complicate matters it would prefer to go with the decision of the apex court.
The Board finally turned down the Supreme Court suggestion to initiate talks for an out of court settlement.
It said that the Board appeals to the Supreme Court to pronounce its verdict on Ayodhya title case at the earliest. The Board will abide by the court verdict nothing else.
It may be recalled that on March 21, the Supreme Court had said the construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya was an issue of sentiment and religion, and asked the disputing parties to sort the matter outside court.
The AIMPLB said that it would not tolerate government’s interference will not be tolerated in matters related to Shariat.
However, it declared social boycott of those Muslims misusing triple talaq and issued a Code of Conduct for all community members to follow while giving triple talaq.
Later, talking to reporters, Maulana Mohammed Wali Rehmani, the general secretary of the AIMPLB, said that “If the law is being misused then corrective steps needs to be taken against those misusing it instead of changing the law. We have a right under the Constitution of the country to practice our personal laws and Board will not tolerate any interference in that from any quarters.”
He said that the Board has been making an allout effort to discourage and check misuse of the practice of triple talaq.