KOZHIKODE:At a time when much discussion is taking place on abolition of triple talaq, a difference of opinion has come to the fore between Muslim Women’s League (MWL), the women’s wing of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), and its girls’ wing Haritha on the issue. While MWL is maintaining a stoic silence, Haritha is strongly pitching for banning triple talaq.
The girls’ wing has come out in the open against the practice, terming it ‘un-Islamic’, whereas MWL follows the IUML’s stand. Haritha, however, has expressed concern over the Central government’s move to bring in the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). “Clearly, there is politics in discussing triple talaq in the backdrop of UCC. But, it doesn’t lessen the seriousness of the issue because it is anti-women. We have demanded that the party leadership should conduct a discussion and listen what Muslim women have to say about talaq. We hope that they would look into our demand seriously,” said Haritha state president Fathima Thahiliya.
Muslim Women’s League (MWL), following the line of its parent organisation IUML, is silent on the issue of triple talaq. “The party leadership has already expressed its opinion; there is nothing more to say on the issue,” said MWL state president Kamarunnisa Anwar.
The IUML had made its position clear on the issue by taking a safe stand that the party won’t interfere in the issue. “Talaq has been discussed by Islamic scholars for long and they have a different opinion. The Muslim League is against any political interference in the matter. Let religious scholars take a final call,” said the party’s national secretary E T Muhammed Basheer. He also alleged that the Centre was trying to divert attention from a serious issue like the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by focusing on less important matters like triple talaq.
The IUML, however, conducted a meeting of different Muslim organisations in Kozhikode on Saturday to discuss the issue. Representatives of All-India Muslim Personal Law Board and various Muslim organisations irrespective of their political stance attended the meeting. Ironically, no Muslim women organisations were invited to the meeting so far.
Differing Views
IUML’s girls’ wing Haritha is pitching for triple talaq ban. “We have requested the party leadership to listen to what Muslim women have to say about talaq,” said Haritha state president Fathima Thahiliya
The Muslim Women’s League is maintaining a stoic silence. “Since the party leadership has expressed its opinion, there is nothing more to say on the issue,” said women’s league state president Kamarunnisa Anwar