"We Will Now Work for a Muslim Family Law as Our Constitutional Right": Petitioner Zakia Soman

NEW DELHI: A five judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court (SC) has proclaimed the practice of Triple Talaq as ‘unconstitutional’. In this judgement that was keenly awaited, the apex court has banned the practice of triple talaq.

Zakia Soman, the petitioner as well as the co-founder of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) said in a quick interview to The Citizen as a first reaction after the ruling was delivered, ‘this is a historical judgement and we welcome it’.

Soman has been working tirelessly for the rights of Muslim women as a founding member of the BMMA. The BMMA had signed a petition titled ‘Muslim Women’s Quest for Equality,’ with the Supreme Court taking suo moto cognisance of this in 2015.

Excerpts from the interview:

On the verdict:

We find the legal discrimination on Muslim women is beginning to be addressed. This judgement will help us take over the whole process of social reforms and gender justice within the Muslim Community.

On the Uniform Civil Code:

We want a Muslim Family Law based on the Quran. This is our constitutional right. The Muslim Family Law is based on the Quran that confirms upon the constitutional principles of justice and equality.

What Now?

Actually, there are a whole lot of things ahead, like iddat marriage, polygamy and shared property that has to be fought. But, this judgement is a welcome verdict, now.