Muslim Personal Law Board for triple talaq; accuses Centre of infringing into personal laws of Muslims

New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board at its 25^th conference at Park Circus Maidan in Kolkata on Sunday accused the Narendra Modi government of making baseless comments against the triple talaq and infringing into the personal laws of Muslims.  The Board also said the entire Muslim community, including women, are in favour of the Shariah laws and government's attempt to interfere with the personal laws stands defeated. They strongly oppose the government’s interference in the community’s internal matters saying that divine Sharia laws regarding marriage, divorce and adaptation cannot be modified or altered by any person or authority. The AIMPLB has submitted an affidavit before the Supreme Court and also approached the Prime Minister and five Cabinet Ministers to explain their stand on these issues. The board fears that once the government interference is allowed in one sphere of Muslim personal law, the move for a uniform civil code as promised by the BJP in its political manifesto, would gain strength. However, in view of the mounting criticism from across the country over the continuation of triple talaq , the AIMPLB on Sunday announced the formulation a women’s wing to address issues such as the triple talaq, dowry, education and female foeticide. It would also launch a  a toll-free helpline from December 1 called the "All India Muslim Women Helpline" in Urdu, English and eight regional languages to expand social reform activities among Muslim women. The board will be headed by Asma Zehra who feels that the centre is trying to brand Muslim women as a suppressed and oppressed community. Zehra went on to say that the the Muslims have had a simple law for dealing with  issues of marriage, divorce, dowry and other things for the last 1,400 years. The news conference was held on the concluding day of the 25th general meeting of the law board, which was attended by more than 75 women delegates. Of them, about 50 gave their views on the triple talaq. A Muslim woman, Shayara Bano, has moved the apex court seeking a ban the triple talaq. A civil society body, the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, has backed her while the law board has filed an affidavit opposing such a ban saying that its better to get divorced than being abandoned by the husband. (With inputs from agencies)