Arko Datta / Reuters
Yesterday, in a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court declared instant triple talaq (the practice that allows Muslim men to divorce their wives instantly by uttering 'talaq' thrice in quick succession) as unconstitutional. A bench comprising five judges of different faiths decided that instant talaq violated the fundamental rights of women and was against the tenets of Islam as detailed in the Quran.
Naturally, Twitter was abuzz with people's reactions, with many prominent personalities welcoming the judgement as a victory for Muslim women in the country. Cricketer Mohammad Kaif was among the many celebrities who tweeted in favour of the ruling.
Welcome decision by Supreme Court to declare #TripleTalaq unconstitutional. Will give Muslim women security. Gender justice is much needed
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 22, 2017
His thoughts resonated with many people on the micro-blogging platform. At the time of writing this article, Kaif's tweet had been retweeted over 3,500 times and had garnered almost 10,000 likes.
But Kaif's innocuous tweet, expressing his personal belief, soon turned into a battleground for trolls out to defend the 'honour' of Islam by abusing anyone who didn't agree with their understanding of the religion and interpretation of its holy book.
From establishing the supremacy of the Quran over the Supreme Court and the country, conspiracy theories about the media and government's anti-Muslim agenda, to questioning Kaif's motives behind the tweets, Indian Twitter had it all.
Bhaad me jaye Indian kanoon.
— kaif (@Mohamma03597470) August 22, 2017
Hme to har haal me saryat par chalna he.
Thanks SC from judgment which vl help media & it's govt to move further & find out some new propaganda against Muslims ....
— Wasim Shaikh (@wasim_shaikh10) August 22, 2017
Women will get justice if v follow only Quran n Hadith. SC is nothing b4 Quran n Hadith
— Gulzar Naik (@naikgulzar) August 22, 2017
SC says #TripleTalaq is against Quran so how about saying Vande Mataram that is also against basic Quran of There is no God but Allah
— Saquib Hamza (@HamzaSaqmd) August 22, 2017
women are most secure in islaam....being Muslim you should know it
— xahoor bhat (@bhat_xahoor) August 22, 2017
Sir app kise khus karne ke liye istarha ke twits karte hai...
— AIMIM Rebel ladka (@SaM_Saifi_100) August 22, 2017
And of course, no conversation about Islam can be complete without trolls from both sides of the aisle hurling abuses at one another, terrorism and the leave-the-country rhetoric.
then f**k off 4m india, next is uniform civil code
— rocket singh (@ultimatebaap) August 22, 2017
UCC toh aayega hi aayega
bhai तर्क aur कुतर्क ki baat na kar jyada ... varna sabko pata he terrorist kaunse majhab ke hote he? shanti se jio aur dusro ko bhi jine do
— prakash tank (@prakash10k) August 22, 2017
Aur tum log kise khush karne ke liye logo ko bomb se udate ho. Shanti raho aur dusro ko bhi rehne do.
— द अंडरटेकर (@Sir_Undertaker) August 22, 2017
Thankfully, Kaif seems to be supremely unconcerned by all the hatred coming his way. So far, he hasn't engaged with any troll and we hope he continues to champion women's rights.