India’s Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked the use of a Muslim divorce law until the Government frames new Legislation, a partial victory for Muslim women who had long argued that the rule violated their right to equality.
The “triple talaq” law allowed Muslim men to divorce their wives simply by uttering the word “talaq” (I divorce you) three times and the marriage is over.
The judges said the law violated Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India, which is related to equality, and protection of life and personal liberty respectively.
“It’s a very happy day for us. It’s a historic day,” said Zakia Soman the
co-founder of the Indian Muslim Women’s Movement, which was part of the legal battle to end triple talaq.
“We, the Muslim women, are entitled to justice from the courts as well as the legislature,” she added.Muslim women say they have been left destitute by husbands divorcing them through “triple talaq”, including by Skype, Email and WhatsApp.