Like the protesters in Jhunjhunu, these Muslim women oppose a draft law that criminalises the practice of instant triple talaq. (File photo for representation: Reuters)

Thousands of Muslim women took to the streets in Jhunjhunu Tuesday to protest a draft law that proposes the abolition of instant triple talaq, or talaq-e-biddat.

The women said they wouldn't tolerate changes to Sharia law, a set of principles based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government of interfering, and of hurting Muslims' sentiments.

Sympathy for Muslim women should translate into education schemes instead, they explained.

"Islamic Law is a law that has come from the sky and till today, we have not made any change in it, neither will we let it happen," said Shaukat Ali, a cleric.

Both women and men marched to the district collectorate in Jhunjhunu.

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BILL STUCK IN PARLIAMENT

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 was tabled by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad during the Winter Session of Parliament. It was passed in the Lok Sabha.

But the Rajya Sabha, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi's NDA government does not have a majority, has not approved the Bill, which proposes a three-yearsprison term for offenders.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, a top body of Muslim clerics, says there are several flaws in the "very wrong law."

But President Ram Nath Kovind has said a law against instant triple talaq can help Muslim women live a life "free of fear."

NOTE: The photograph above this article was taken in January in Ahmedabad. It has been used for representation only.

(Inputs from PTI)

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