Triple Talaq unconstitutional, says Allahabad High Court: Five things to know

New Delhi: The Allahabad High Court on Thursday ruled that Triple Talaq was unconstitutional.

• A high court bench said the concept violated human rights and that personal law of any community cannot be placed above the Constitution

 

• "Triple Talaq violates the rights of Muslim women," the bench said

 

• "No personal law board is above the Constitution," the bench said, in an apparent reference to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board that favours Triple Talaq

 

• "Even the Holy Quran terms the practice a wrongful act," the bench added

Triple talaq is interpreted as the Islamic practice of divorcing a woman by uttering the word talaq thrice. Most Muslim countries do not approve of it. The Centre had earlier informed the Supreme Court it is opposed to the Muslim practices of triple talaq and polygamy on a day the law commission sought public opinion on evolving a uniform civil code in the country. The court had also sought the Centre's views on evolving a uniform civil code, following which the government entrusted the job to the law commission. In its affidavit, the Centre said: "The right of a woman to human dignity, social esteem and self worth are important facets of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also had said the government and the society should ensure justice to Muslim women and not let their lives be destroyed by triple talaq. He said it was not fair for a man to say "talaq" thrice over the phone to ruin a Muslim woman's life. (With agency inputs)