Talaq to…talaq, talaq, talaq

Manpriya Singh

It definitely takes longer, with a little more formalities, to return a faulty product delivered by Amazon. Then why should it take just three words spoken in haste to end a marriage? Well, so question the new-age Muslims (especially women). But mind you, we are tampering with several hundred years old integral religious practice to do with a personal law. Nevertheless —Unconstitutional! Unconstitutional! Unconstitutional! So said the Supreme Court Bench comprising five different judges from five different faiths—striking down Triple Talaq by a 3:2 majority. Ever since, it’s been trending, trolling and everything in between.

Enough being said, with a lot more to say on the subject, we go in search of a cross-section of Muslim community from the Tricity.

Cheers to progression

It’s a good decision. I totally agree with and respect Supreme Court banning the controversial Islamic practice. As a working woman and a mother, I feel we work just as hard, sometimes more and the least we expect in return is equality if not special privileges. So I am happy with the decision. My round of applause to the bench that has given the verdict!

— Binder Kaur, Muslim government school teacher, married to a Muslim

Women empowered

It’s a very pro-women development, so I am totally happy with the Supreme Court ruling rendering the Triple Talaq unconstitutional. We can’t talk about women empowerment until we talk about women equality, so it’s a positive step in that direction. Also it takes care of instances where divorce would happen in a fit of rage or other such similar circumstances.

— Jannat Jahan/Niana, former municipal councilor, married to a Muslim

Wait & watch

There’s a part of me that totally agrees with the Supreme Court decision. It’s especially a breather in case where men divorce their wives in a fit of rage. I, especially a father of a baby girl, feel it’s a pro-women step. But at the same time, the detailed verdict of Muslim bodies will be out on this one and as a member of the Muslim community, I will agree with what they have to say too.

— Master Ali, craftsman

The flip side

People murder their wives also in a fit of anger. At least it’s better than that! Further in pursuit of court verdicts, people end up ruining their youth, their life and a significant 10-15 years. At least, this way they can immediately move ahead with their separate lives. It’s a 1,400-year-old law; must have been made keeping some things in mind. I am not saying one should uphold the Triple Talaq law as it is without amendments. If a husband says Triple Talaq, there should definitely be further probe as to under what circumstances and why he said it, but to totally quash someone’s religious practice is not a done thing.

— Muslim cleric in a Sector 20 mosque, who refused to be named

B-town—who tweeted, who didn’t! 

Otherwise quite knowledgeable about current affairs and vocal about general developments, interestingly, the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan are yet to tweet, re-tweet or say anything at all on the social media on this issue. Meanwhile, there are some who minced no words and took no time in hailing the verdict. 

Anupam Kher: Some decisions are not for pappus or even bhakts. The decision of triple talaq is for the win of women empowerment.

Madhur Bhandarkar: Welcome judgment by Supreme Court to declare triple talaq as unconstitutional. This will start a new chapter in the empowerment of Muslim women.

Dia Mirza: A win for democracy! Historic day for women’s rights in our country. 

Kabir Bedi: Since Supreme Court has declared triple talaq “unconstitutional”, why does Parliament have to enact a new law to void it.

[email protected] region