Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) opposed the unilateral divorce and demanded legal Abolition of oral or unilateral Divorce on Saturday.
“We demand a legal prohibition to unilateral divorce, halala and mediation process must be made mandatory as per the provisions of the Quran. Muslim women are citizens of this country and all Constitutional safeguards are applicable to them. The Muslim personal law must be reformed in such a manner that all discriminatory practices could struck down and Muslim women's Constitutional and Quranic rights could be safeguarded,” said Safia Akhtar.
While talking to the mediapersons here on Saturday, BMMA MP Convener Safia Akhtar said that the Andolan is a national movement of Muslim women working in 15 States and a membership of over one lakh. It fights for the rights of Muslim through their own leadership and seeks to end injustices done to Muslim women.
Akhtar added that women who have been divorced unilaterally are rendered completely helpless as they have no say in the whole process. Qazis approve and support the Muslim men to divorce his wife in this manner. Qazis also encourage halala and even offer themselves for the same. Women have unanimously demanded a legal ban on the practice of oral or unilateral divorce. A national study 'seeking justice within family’ also found out that 92 per cent Muslim women want an end to this practice which destroys their life and the life of their children.
Akhtar further added that the instant method of divorce has no mention in the Quran. In fact the Quranic method requires the couple to undergo a process of mediation before the divorce takes place. Muslim women are also entitled to their constitutional rights which do not allow any practice or law to violate the basic constitutional principles of justice, equality, freedom and compassion. Muslim women want to reform the current personal law and bring it on par with the constitutional and Quranic principles.