NEW DELHI: Supreme Court’s historic verdict scrapping instant triple talaq seemed to have almost melted political, social and communal differences as was visible from how nearly all quarters of society welcomed the judgment.
Scholars’ and other intellectuals’ take
Among the many historians who praised the verdict were historians Irfan Habib and Ramachandra Guha. Habib termed the verdict “sensible” and said, “SC verdict looks sensible. It is instant Triple Talaq which is an absurd innovation and has been legitimised in India by many clerics. Triple Talaq in itself is a complicated process, which can’t be easily misused.
That is why some mullahs legitimised instant Triple Talaq. All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMLB) should go along the verdict and work seriously for its enforcement. SC did something which AIMPLB should have done long back.” Guha praised the verdict, saying, “The Supreme Court has done absolutely the right thing by declaring Triple Talaq illegal and unconstitutional. It is an obnoxious practice.”
Former chief election commissioners Wajahat Habibullah and SY Quraishi were also one of the eminent personalities who were all praised for the verdict. Quraishi, however, said “AIMLB lost an opportunity to introduce the reform itself.” Habibullah termed it a “very good decision” but said if the government decides to make a law for this as recommended by the SC, “government should decide to hold consultations not just with AIMLB but also Muslim intellectuals like lawyers and professors and then frame a law based on Quranic principles.”
What did the Muslim organisations say?
General Secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board Wali Rehmani said, “We have mixed reaction on the verdict. The verdict is contradictory. At one place, it states that personal laws are protected and won’t be interfered with but then it has ruled that Triple Talaq won’t be allowed. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has convened a meeting on September 10 in Bhopal to discuss the Supreme Court verdict on triple talaq and chalk out the future strategy on the issue.”
President of All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board Shaista Amber said, “The Supreme Court decision is historic, it is the victory of women in the country. But more than that, it is the victory of Islam.”