New Delhi, Dec 24: All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday accused the central government of drafting the ‘Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill’ without consulting any stakeholder. The controversial bill, seeking three-year jail for instant triple talaq, will be tabled in the parliament on Monday. Addressing a press conference, AIMPLB leader Sajjad Nomani said the legislation, if implemented in present form, will destroy many families.
Nomani added that president of the board will request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the bill. “No procedure was followed in drafting this bill, neither any stakeholder was consulted. President of AIMPLB will convey this stand to PM and request him to withhold and withdraw the bill, ANI quoted Nomani as saying.
Earlier, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi had said the bill is intended to demonise Muslims. He had said the bill may misused by the police to harass Muslims too.
Owaisi added the efforts to expedite law in the name of protecting Muslim women is an attempt to demonise the community. The bill, introduced after Supreme Court’s order, would only be applicable to instant triple talaq or ‘talaq-e-biddat’. The legislation would give power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking “subsistence allowance” for herself and minor children.
Under the draft law, triple talaq in any form — spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp — would be bad or illegal and void.
The Supreme Court, in its ruling in August, had declared the practice of instant triple talaq or Talaq-e-bidat unconstitutional and void.