Social activists from the Muslim community today termed the Supreme Court's decision to set aside the practice of divorce through triple talaq as "one of the best reforms" in the country after independence.
Zakia Soman, the co-founder of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan which is also one of the petitioners in the case, expressed hope that the verdict will usher in a new era of social reforms.
"I am elated to hear about this historical judgement which is not only for the Muslim women, but is one of the best reforms in India after independence," Soman told PTI.
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"It reaffirms faith in this democratic country. Muslim women have really struggled hard so far and we hope that this verdict will usher a new era of social reforms," she said.
The Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan had earlier spearheaded a signature campaign for a ban on triple talaq.
Zeenat Shaukat Ali, a noted scholar on Islamic issues, welcomed the "excellent" verdict.
"I welcome it whole-heartedly. Triple talaq is violative of Islam as well as the Constitution. There is no such thing like triple talaq in one go in Quran. With due respect, I wished there was a total concurrence of all five judges on it," she said.
Slamming those who are opposing the judgement, Ali said, "Their arguments have become redundant. They have no face to show."
Maharashtra State Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar described the decision as a bold move towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'New India'.
"This verdict is the result of a long fight that Muslim women have fought. This will definitely help restore the self- esteem of Muslim women where all cherish equal rights in society," she said.
Saeed Noori, the general secretary of Raza Academy, said the decision is divided therefore, the government should not interfere into the "internal matters" of Shariat.
"The verdict on triple talaq is divided. So the notion of the two judges cannot be ignored in straight-forward manner," he said.
"We appeal to the Union government not to interfere in our internal matter, because if it comes with a law, there is least possibility that people will follow it as it will be practically impossible to follow it because Muslims have a deeper sense of belongingness with our Shariat," he said.
The Supreme Court by a majority verdict today set aside the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims, saying the practice was void, illegal and unconstitutional.
The apex court held that the triple talaq was against the basic tenets of Quran.
"In view of the different opinions recorded by a majority of 3:2, the practice of 'talaq-e-biddat' - triple talaq is set aside," a five-judge constitution bench said in a 395-page order.
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