Women in Walled City say they will continue to follow practice; activists say there’s lack of awareness

A sultry Tuesday afternoon saw the area around Jama Masjid in the Walled City buzzing with activity and large families busy shopping — a day like any other.

No one seemed to be aware that the Supreme Court had just hours earlier announced its judgment declaring triple talaq, or instant divorce, unconstitutional.

Asked about the apex court judgment, most looked perplexed and immediately dismissed it.

“The Supreme Court is wrong. For us, triple talaq is everything. Nothing can override what our religion tells us to do. We will continue to practice what has been prevalent throughout these years. It is ultimately a matter of our faith and we are the ones who have the right to take a decision about it” said Mehvish, a 56-year-old homemaker.

Stressing the relevance of the age-old practice, 35-year-old homemaker and mother of two Parveena said: “My family is of utmost importance to me. If my husband utters the word thrice, then I am bound to leave that very instant. No one can question that as this is what our religion tells us. No judgment or court can change this fact. We will continue to follow this.”

Raising questions over the Supreme Court judgment, 36-year-old Masood Ahmad, who was out shopping with his family, said: “This is nothing but interference from the Supreme Court. We will follow what our religious laws say, and that is all that we are concerned with”.

‘Lack of awareness’

Citing a lack of awareness at the ground level, Mariya Salim of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, said: “The Muslim Personal Law Boards have created terror among Muslim women by bringing other issues like the Uniform Civil Code to the front. These women are misinformed to a great extent. It is this ignorance which leads them to believe that instant talaq is Islamic, even when it is not.”

Stressing the need to increase awareness, Naqueed Alam (62), a retired professional, said: “The leaders of our clergy have not done enough to educate the masses on matters that plague society, such as triple talaq and halala. Organisations such as the MPLBs should now proactively work towards educating society so that the Muslim society accepts the change in the law.”

“It is just the first step. Only calling it unlawful will not eradicate it from the society. There are millions who need to be made aware of the unjust and exploitative use of triple talaq,” said Haseeb Alam, a homemaker.

(With inputs from Ismat Ara)