GODMEN AND THEIR UNGODLY WAYS

The so-called godmen gain importance due to political patronage and vote bank politics despite the fact that illegal activities have always been reported from their premises. These babas usually manage to create a large number of followers who in the time of crisis hold the authorities to ransom, as is being done in the tri-city. They resort to such tactics to blackmail and put pressure on the legal system no matter if the general public faces a lot of inconvenience due to blockades and fear of violence. Arvinder Kaur, SAS Nagar

II

For the last few days, virtually all media channels are flashing news that something undesirable may happen if court hands out an unfavourable decision in the rape case involving Dera Sacha Sauda chief case. As a resident of Panchkula I am not able to make out the nature of threat we are facing. The BJP government will not like to face another embarrassment as it had in the Rampal episode. But is it right to create a fear psychosis among the common man? It is the government’s duty to protect its citizens. Kamal Arora, Panchkula

III

Thousands of followers of Dera Sacha Sauda have gathered in Panchkula in the last three days ahead of the verdict in the rape case against the sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim. They are openly challenging the authorities that they will not compromise on anything against their godman. The administration is struggling to deal with the situation. Local people are facing problems due to the crisis-like situation. Justice should prevail and the dera followers should respect the court verdict and maintain the peace. Nitin Singh, Ambala

A WELCOME VERDICT ON TRIPLE TALAQ

The Supreme Court has rightly struck down 1,400-year-old practice of instant triple talaq that was discriminatory against Muslim women. The verdict of five judges was a sort of ‘rainbow bench’ representing five faiths. The verdict has justified the fight of five women, including the one at the forefront, Shayara Bano, who knocked at the SC door, even in the face of opposition from some Muslim groups. The verdict came 32 years after the Rajiv Gandhi government with a majority in Parliament overturned court intervention on Muslim Personal Law in the case of Shah Bano who was granted alimony by the apex court. MS Khokhar

II

The apex court decision on instant triple talaq is welcome as we need reforms like this in new India. The government should now come with a more reformist law in tune with the changing times. Some are calling it a victory of gender justice but this is wrong because Muslim women do not have right to triple talaq. The court has also not touched upon the Muslim Personal Law. Also, it is time to declare war against the practice od nikah halala which exploits women and is unethical. Niranjan Walia,

Jalandhar

III

The practice of triple talaq is unconstitutional and it militates against the basic tenets of Islam. Much more needs to be done to eliminate entrenched societal, religious and cultural norms that perpetuate gender discrimination. With the apex court giving the government six months to enact a law to address the concerns of Muslims and Sharia, it is hoped the Centre will comply promptly to ensure gender justice for Muslim women in the country. SC Dhall,

Zirakpur

IV

Even as the Supreme Court verdict on instant triple talaq was not unanimous but it came as a huge relief to Muslim women who fought for equality. We hope that Parliament passes a law in this regard within six months. The only thing is that political parties should not politicise the issue. Paramjit Singh Parwana, Patiala

V

Even as the court has invalidated instant triple talaq, justice will elude women who were divorced on Skype and WhatsApp among others. Still, it is a historic day for Muslim women keeping in mind the fact that they have been relieved from such a dreadful practice. Mouli Sharma, Amritsar

VI

The Supreme Court verdict on triple talaq is progressive. Parliament should now enact law within six months to make it succeed. The government should take concrete steps to empower poor Muslim women who are exploited due to their illiteracy and financial dependence. They must educate them and provide them jobs to make them financially independent so that they can lead a life of dignity. Col RD Singh (retd),

Ambala Cantt

VII

The apex court’s decision on triple talaq is a great step in the direction of providing gender equality which was enshrined five centuries ago in Gurbani “Manas ki jaat sabhe eko pehchanbo” and “So kyun manda aakhiye jit jammed rajaan”. Gurninder Kaur, Rajpura

VIII

The Supreme Court’s judgement on triple talaq has freed the Muslim women from fear of instant and arbitrary divorce. There is no concept of triple talaq in Islam. Some illiterate misinterpreted the religion and started this bad practice and giving the religion a bad name. It is a victory for Sayra Bano, Aafrin Rehman, Ishrat Jahan, Aatiya Sabri and Gulshan Parveen who fought a prolonged battle for justice. Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali