Readers tell us if it is time for Indian Muslims to junk triple talaq

Indian Muslims are at the brink of a choice whose time has come. The question of triple talaq – a practice in which Muslim men can divorce their wives by simply repeating “talaq” thrice, whether orally, or even via phone texts, or on Skype – is something that has divided not just the nation, but also the Muslims themselves.

While Muslim women, overwhelmingly, have come out in support of scrapping this outrageous practice because it discriminates against them, orthodox organisations and those who act as the gatekeepers and interpreters of Quranic law for the rest – particularly the All India Muslim Personal Law Board – have, nevertheless, decided to back this medieval system.

While apprehensions about implementing a Uniform Civil Code remain, in as much as the Narendra Modi government is hardly trusted by the religious minorities in the country, triple talaq is something that has gathered enough momentum both within the liberal sections of the Indian Muslims themselves, as well as the Muslim women, who have taken on the cudgels of bringing about this important legislative reform within Muslim personal laws.

It is interesting to note that even Pakistan – a country Indians are taught to hate for its supposed “backwardness” and Islamic fundamentalist politics – has banned triple talaq as not legally feasible in 21st century.

But is the Modi government’s move against triple talaq really intended for the empowerment of Muslim women, or is it about winning the all-important Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, in which communal polarisation would play a significant part?

If Modi government is serious about having triple talaq scrapped and bringing in a truly egalitarian, secular legislation, wider consultations are more than necessary.

Yet, can we really wait until the obnoxiously recalcitrant and hardened Islamists of AIMPLB decide to finally move on and step into the 21st century by junking triple talaq?

We opened up the debate to our readers. The responses have been varied and extremely interesting.

Please read on.

DailyO readers weigh in.

Syed Naveed Anjum: Your statement in the article asks Muslims to step into the 21st century, and that is in itself a compliment to Islam, because as per Quranic and Ahadith references there is no reference to triple talaq, and the procedure is completely different. This triple talaq is more of an Indian Mullah procedure. See Dr Naik’s speech on polygamy and triple talaq in Islam where he clears misconceptions about these two things with strong references to the Qur'an and Ahadith. But you'll not do this because you want to misguide people.

Satya Upadhyay: The issue of triple talaq and polygamy is nothing but continuous exploitation and gender discrimination under the guise of social orthodoxy. It’s time to not view everything from narrow sectarian prism, but to avail women of their equal and rightful place in family, society and nation. Believe me, uniform civil code and primacy to individual rights over discriminatory practises is litmus test of secularism and constitutionalism in today’s society.

Vinay Tc: Good, now lots of women can live happily, everyone should respect women and need equality, now constitutional law making way for that.

Shashi Kumar: Indian Muslims should abolish this terrible system of tripple talaq, just like the Hindus abolished sati pratha, child marriage etc.

Also read: Reforms in Muslim marriage laws is an idea whose time has come

Also read: How brave Muslim women are leading a quiet revolution to reform Islamic law

Watch: All India Muslim Personal Law Board opposes ban of triple talaq