Muslim law board: Triple talaq a faith issue like Ram’s birthplace

Triple talaq is a matter of faith like Lord Ram’s birthplace is for Hindus, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board told the Supreme Court on Tuesday, defending the Muslim practice of instant divorce that is facing opposition within the community.

The board brought up the longpending dispute over building a temple to Lord Ram in Ayodhya, which Hindus believe is his birth place, before a five-judge bench hearing a clutch of petitions demanding scrapping of the controversial divorce practice.

“Triple talaq is not a question of equity and good conscience but of faith. Can’t bring constitutional morality into it,” board’s lawyer and senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said, adding that it has been practised for 1,400 years.

He also said while Hindu laws protected all customs, “in Muslim law, they (the government) say customs violate Constitution”. In a Hindu majority state, Muslims, who were a minority, should be protected.

CONTINUED ON P 6 Racism is a constant and cruel reality in India. It is all around us — our movies, our art and culture, and our history.

In a special series, Hindustan Times focuses sharp attention on why our skin prejudices lead us even to violence. In the third of an eightpart series, actor Abhay Deol on why fairer does not necessarily mean better. “We are guinea pigs for corporate giants selling fairness,’’ he says.