Parties welcome SC verdict on triple talaq

New Delhi : The BJP and the Congress today welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on Triple Talaq holding it unconstitutional, saying it was a step forward towards gender justice and equality. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan welcomed the judgement on the issue, considered an impediment to the progress of a modern society, and asked the central government to enact a law on it soon.

“We welcome the Supreme Court verdict on triple talaq and urge the central government to enact a law soon. Traditions like Triple Talaq are like mental and social harassment of our sisters and daughters and are an impediment to the progress of modern Indian society,” Chouhan said on twitter.

Congress leader Salman Khurshid also welcomed the judgement, saying “it is a good decision”.
However, he said the reasoning behind the decision was as important as the decision itself and one should see it before coming to any conclusion.

Union Minister Maneka Gandhi also termed it as “a good judgement and saying “We welcome it. It is a step forward towards gender justice and gender equality. It is good for women.”

Asked whether the government would bring a law soon, she said, the government will consider making a law on it. BJP MP Subramanian Swamy also welcomed it saying it has paved the way forward for bringing reform. “Chief Justice has given an astute order; Stayed Triple Talaq for six months and asked Parliament to get off its backsides and legislate,” Swamy said on Twitter.

Swamy said this would bring proximity between Hindus and Muslims and was a big day for Muslim women. “We are happy that women, both Hindu and Muslim, are standing together for reform. “Big day for Muslim women. Salute their courageousness, their fearlessness and even their ostracisation. They have stood for real reform and we must salute them and stand by them,” he said.

BJP spokesperson Aman Sinha said the judgement has vindicated the stand of the Narendra Modi government. Sinha, who is also a senior advocate, said the majority verdict of the five-judge Constitution bench declaring the practice of triple talaq among Muslims as “unconstitutional”, would give Muslim women the right to lead a dignified life.

“The Supreme Court has upheld the stand taken by the government of India that triple talaq is unconstitutional and discriminatory,” he said. Referring to the Independence Day speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the senior advocate said, “The Prime Minister had raised the issue of the plight of women due to a regressive practice of triple talaq and today it has been held unconstitutional.”

“The stand of the government on the issue of Triple Talaq is vindicated. It would give crores of Muslim women right to lead the life with dignity and respect,” Sinha said. The Supreme Court, in a landmark verdict, today set aside the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims saying it was “void”, “illegal” and “unconstitutional”.