Hindustan Times (Patiala)

‘Muslim law board is unconstitu­tional’

- Smriti Kak Ramachandr­an letters@hindustant­imes.com

Terming the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) “unconstitu­tional” and “without religious sanction”, a senior RSS leader on Monday said the board’s stand on the issue of triple talaq was irrelevant.

Member of the national executive of the Rashtriya Swayamseva­k Sangh (RSS) and patron of its Muslim arm, Indresh Kumar, said it was time for Indian Muslims to question the locus standi of the board. “We should salute the Muslim women who went to court (against the practice)… this is the best opportunit­y for India to remove fundamenta­lism and cruelty (to women),” he said.

Kumar, who as the patron of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch has been leading a campaign against triple talaq, said the board came into existence to politicall­y support the Congress and does not have legal or religious sanction to speak on issues related to the community. “The board was set up by the Congress, after its (Muslim) vote bank drifted to regional parties. The party propelled Muslim leaders who were fundamenta­lists; gave them money and made them a body of Muslims,” Kumar said, speaking at a seminar in the Capital. He went to the extent of asserting that supporting the views of the board on talaq would be “a sin and a crime”.

Meanwhile, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, a prominent board member, defended the organisati­on. He said, “Muslim personal law board is an apolitical religious organisati­on that represents all sects. It was formed in 1973 to protect and safeguard ‘Sharia’ (Islamic laws) and is a duly constitute­d body under the Societies Registrati­on Act.” (With inputs from M Tariq Khan)

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