Muslim body seeks abolition of triple talaq

On April 18, 1966, Hamid Dalwai, a progressive Muslim thinker, had taken rally of seven women who were divorced through triple talaq, to Maharashtra State Assembly demanding abolition of triple talaq, halala and polygamy. But nothing has changed in the last 51 years.

Demanding these same 51-years-old plea, Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal held rally from Ambedkar Statue to Council Hall on Tuesday. Over 51 women including many women who were given divorced by their husbands through triple talaq participated in the rally. They gave representation to the Pune Collector Saurabh Rao.

Shamsuddin Tamboli of Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal said, “We have been demanding abolition of triple talaq, polygamy and halala for over 51 years but nothing has changed till now. Muslim women have no protection of Constitution and law unlike women in other religions. Currently over 70 Muslim organisations across India and 92% Muslim women demand abolition of these discriminatory traditions. However, traditional Muslim organisations like Muslim Personal Law Board are trying to not to change these traditions.”

He added, “In 1985 we had held rally from Kolhapur to Nagpur to create awareness among people and press government to abolish these laws. We also conducted one-day awareness seminar in which many Muslim organisations participated.”

Other demands include establishment of family courts at districts and immediate constitution of a committee for implementation of Uniform Civil Code. Recommendations of Sachchar Committee, Justice Rangnath Miishra should be implemented as soon as possible.

Muslim women have no protection of Constitution and law unlike women in other religions. Currently over 70 Muslim organisations across India demand abolition of these traditions. – Shamsuddin Tamboli