Tuesday, August 22 has been recorded as the historical day in the history of Indian judiciary. The Honorable Supreme Court pronounced the ban on the evil practice of triple talaq on Tuesday putting an end to the menace followed from centuries.
A bench of 5 judges announced the practice of triple talaq as unconstitutional and has asked the central government to form the required law within six months. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising the verdict of the Supreme court tweeted that “The decision on triple talaq made by the Honorable Supreme Court is historic. This decision of the Supreme Court will entitle Muslim women to equality and this is a major step towards empowerment of women.”
BJP national president Amit Shah also welcomed the decision, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government for supporting and standing by the Muslim women for their pragmatic fight for justice and equality. The BJP Government has been a major contributor in curbing triple talaq. It was always standing against triple talaq and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had often talked of ending this evil custom.
Even though people called it an election manifesto Modi always spoke for the right of the Muslim women on public forums. This was probably the reason that during the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, a large number of Muslim women supported the BJP and all the political equations became in favor of the BJP.
After the successful victory in banning the evil practice of triple talaq, the eyes of the whole country are now focused on the Modi government whether it will move towards ‘Uniform Civil Code’. The Supreme Court’s decision on ‘triple divorce’ has come in the interest of the BJP and it will work to improve the image of the BJP in Muslim society. BJP will also not leave any chance to cash in this opportunity. Although the Supreme Court’s decision on ‘Triple Divorce’ will not directly help the Modi government in implementing ‘Uniform Civil Code’, but indirectly it will be effective in creating an atmosphere in favor of the government.
BJP had promised the uniform civil code in the Manifesto released during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. On page 41 of the Manifesto, it was said in this context that Article 44 of the Indian Constitution entitles every citizen to have the right to equality. In case the uniform civil code is implemented, then all the religions will be equal and will have to follow the same rules in India. After the verdict announced by the Supreme court, even the Muslim Personal Law Board is on the back foot. Currently, Supreme Court is dealing with the hearing of Nikah halala and the practice of polygamy. In such a situation, the Modi government will make a strong effort to play the ‘Uniform Civil Code’ and win the Muslim women vote in their favor.
After Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, Muslim women requested him to take stand for them and fight for the ban of ‘Triple Talaq’. Modi himself has raised this issue many times and has given his opinion on this. The Modi government of the center was clear from the beginning of its stand on this issue and he wanted to end the ‘triple Talaq’. During a national executive meeting of BJP held in Bhubaneswar, Modi had said that “Muslim sisters are in trouble due to ‘triple divorce’. Justice should be given to them. BJP from the very day the issue was raised has been unanimous on this and wants to end Triple Talaq.”
On the festival of Rakshabandhan, the women of the Muslim community had carried out a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow, holding the pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and tying rakhis to their pictures. The two top most powerful leaders in the political equation of India, Modi and Yogi had raised their voice against the practice of triple talaq. It was an unexpected initiative taken as both the leaders were regarded as anti-Muslim politicians.
After joining the fight both the leaders received a lot of appreciation and love from the women of the Muslim community. With the verdict passing in favour of the Muslim women, now the expectation of the implementation of universal civil code has risen.