Protesters say if enacted, it would endanger families

Terming it as ‘anti-women’ and an interference in the practice of their religion, Muslim women from across the city gathered at Azad Maidan on Saturday to protest the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017. The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in December last year, and is currently pending in the Rajya Sabha.

According to the Bill, a man using the triple talaq practice to divorce his wife will face a three-year jail term and a fine. It also makes the pronouncement of triple talaq a non-bailable offence.

At the protest organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), protesters demanded the Bill be rolled back. Dr. Asma Zehra, president of the AIMPLB’s women’s wing, said, “The Bill puts women in social and legal complications. A wrong impression of women suffering has been portrayed. It is in no way helping women. The government is trying to stop divorce, but problems won’t be solved through this.”

Protesters also claimed the Bill, if enacted, will destroy families. “We are supposed to follow triple talaq as described in the Quran. We can’t allow any authority, even the government, to interfere with our religion. We won’t let anyone go against Shariah. Members of every religion have the right to follow what they want to,” Tabassum Rizvi (50), a resident of Nagpada, said.

Dr Zehra said they support Muslim Personal Law and won’t tolerate changes to it. “This Bill has been passed without serious consideration for Muslim women. The government doesn’t realise that it won’t benefit Muslim women. Rather, it will create more problems. Women won’t have any place to go if their husbands serve the jail term. It will be difficult to take care of our children.”

Following the women-only rally, AIMPLB’s women’s wing also submitted a memorandum to the State Governor detailing their demands. They also opposed the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Sumaya Sajjad Nomani, member, AIMPLB, said,”Islam is a complete and perfect religion. It has always given respect and freedom to women. The government is trying to instigate us by saying Muslim women are not equal [to men].”