Clerics divided over triple talaq bill

Sharp divisions surfaced among Muslim clerics over the triple talaq bill which was tabled in Parliament on Thursday.

A section of the clergy led by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) opposed the bill saying it interfered with the 'shariat' (Islamic law), while some other clerics and women rights activists lent full support to the same.

"We support the triple talaq bill. The Centre should not succumb to any kind of pressure on the matter," said Maulana Yasoob Abbas, Shia cleric and spokesman of the All India Shia Personal Law Board. He said the practice of triple talaq must be banned and the proposed law would help check the same.

The AIMPLB, however, said it had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, apprising him of its objections on the issue. The board had held an emergency meeting a few days ago to formulate a strategy in this regard.

"We have already apprised the Centre of our views on the matter... the Centre should have consulted Muslim organisations and the board before preparing the draft bill," said a senior AIMPLB member.

The prestigious Islamic seminary, Darul Uloom in Deoband, has also declared that it will go with the AIMPLB on the issue of triple talaq.

Sources in AIMPLB said some members of the board had voiced their support for the bill.

The Muslim Board for women voiced apprehensions and said it would oppose the bill if it was against the interests of women.

Women's rights activists, however, supported the bill, saying it was needed to curb the menace of triple talaq. "The practice must end," said a victim of triple talaq.