Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments on the triple talaq on the second consecutive day on Sunday has drawn sharp reaction from the All India Muslim personal law board (AIMPlB) . The board has said no prime minister of India has interfered in such a blatant manner in the affairs of the muslim personal law as done by the present Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The AIMPlB reiterated its demand from the government not to interfere in the muslim personal which is part of the Shariat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday had appealed to the muslim community to not to politicize the triple talaq issue. Modi had expressed confidence that the efforts to end the practice to liberate the muslim daughters and mothers from the scourge of triple talaq would be led by the `enlightened’ members of the muslims community. Modi made similar statement on Sunday in his radio broadcast `man ki baat’’.
Jafaryab Jilani former additional advocate general and member of the executive committee of the AIMPlB said here on Sunday that ``one can easily identify as to who has politicized the triple talaq issue. No prime minister other than Narendra Modi like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee never intervened in the muslim personal law, but Modi has spoken several times on this issue’’.
Jilani said the AIMPlB has categorically stated several times that no interference in the muslim personal law would be tolerated and the community can resolve the issue on its own. ``We are trying to ensure that none should give triple talaq in one sitting and the AIMPlB has given the call for the social boycott of for such persons giving talaq in one sitting’’, said JIlani adding `` along with it the board has opened a helpline for the Muslim women’’.
The meeting of the executive committee of the AIMPlB was held here on April 16. Board had given the call for the social boycott of those who give triple talaq to their wives without reasons as prescribed by the Shariat. The board had however said if triple talaq is given in one sitting will be legally valid as per the Sharaiat. The board also defended the practice of giving divorce through the social media like the whatsapp and other mediums.
The general secretary of the AIMPlB had argued that the triple talaq has the sanction of the Koran, forms part of the muslim personal law and therefore falls squarely outside the purview of the judiciary. He said declaring the triple talaq as unconstitutional is like rewriting the Koran. Maulana said `Islam has conferred equal rights on men and women and it’s our collective responsibility to ensure that women exercise their rights’’.
Samajwadi party leader Azam Khan also accused the prime minister of politicizing the triple talaq issue. `` Prime minister should refrain from making attempts to politicize the triple talaq issue and draw political mileage’’, said Azam Khan adding `` its not the triple talaq but the cow vigilantes who are bigger threat to muslim women as their husbands have been killed by the `Gau Rakshak’ (cow vigilantes).