Muslim Law Board for triple talaq, against uniform civil code

Kolkata: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday strongly opposed the central government's move against triple talaq and imposition of uniform civil code, saying divine Sharia laws regarding marriage, divorce and adaptation cannot be modified or altered by any person or authority.

The AIMPLB has submitted an affidavit before the Supreme Court and also approached the Prime Minister and five Cabinet Ministers to explain their stand on these issues.

"The Board (AIMPLB) is competent to take up issues with the honourable Supreme Court and is hopeful that the constitutional guarantees to all religious units in the country would not be disturbed," the Board said at the end of its 25th Annual General Meeting in Kolkata.

The Board also said the entire Muslim community, including women, are in favour of the Shariah laws and government's attempt to interfere with the personal laws stands defeated.

"The Muslim women are coming out in large numbers to support the Board. The government's attempt to project Muslim women as suppressed and oppressed is a ploy to show the entire Muslim community in bad light," Dr. Asma Zahra, the Convenor of the just-formed AIMPLB Women's Wing, said.

The Board announced the formulation of a "Women's Wing" that would work to resolve issues, like divorce, dowry and female foeticide among Muslims. It would also launch a toll-free service called "All India Muslim Women Helpline" in Urdu, English and eight regional languages to support women.

Reasoning in favour of triple talaq, the Board members said it is better for a woman to get a divorce than being abandoned by the husband that happens in large numbers in other communities.