Centre should discuss triple talaq in Parliament: Muslim League

Thiruvananthapuram, August 22

The Indian Union Muslim League in Kerala on Tuesday demanded that the central government should not show any undue haste in coming out with an ordinance on triple talaq, after the Supreme Court struck it down as  "unconstitutional" and "not part of Islam".

Speaking to the media, senior IUML leader and Malappuram Lok Sabha member P.K. Kunhalikutty said with the apex court giving six months time, the Centre should debate the issue well and not show any undue haste in coming out with an ordinance.

"The Parliament should debate and discuss this issue... there is time of six months," said Kunhalikutty.

The IUML, the second largest ally of the Congress-led UDF in Kerala, has two Lok Sabha members and a member in the upper house.

A five judge constitutional bench by a 3:2 majority judgement said there is no constitutional protection for triple talaq.

Justices Kurien Joseph, Rohinton Fali Nariman and Udey Umesh Lalit held that triple talaq is not integral to Islam, is banned in law and lacks approval of the Shariat.

However, Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice S. Abdul Nazir, in a minority judgment, said triple talaq is integral to Islamic practices and enjoys constitutional protection.

Khehar in his judgement urged Parliament to pass a law to deal with the issue.

He, however, injuncted Muslim men from pronouncing instant triple talaq for next six months within which he implored the political parties to shed their difference and enact a law.

Kunhalikutty's colleague in the Lok Sabha, E.T. Mohammed Basheer said that the All India Muslim Personal Law Board will discuss this issue.

—IANS