No More "Talaq Talaq Talaq"!

Triple talaq is the practice under which a Muslim man can divorce his wife by simply uttering "talaq" three times. The presence of wife is not required, she can be given talaq without assigning valid reason. The term "talaq" refers to the repudiation of marriage by husband under Muslim law. The practice of triple talaq has been prevailing since ancient times in India.

This mode of divorce is not universal among Muslims across the world, as many other Islamic schools of thought prefer the divorce process to be deferred, in many cases over a period of three months.

The government has given the example of many Muslim countries, including Pakistan, that have banned triple talaq.

The issue triple talaq attracted media attention in the past two years since a Muslim organisation, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), launched a campaign to ban triple talaq and "nikah halala" - a practice where divorced women, in case they want to go back to their first husbands, have to consummate a second marriage.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken on the issue a number of times, calling for "justice for Muslim women".

"Gender equality, gender equity and a life of dignity and status is an overreaching constitutional goal."

India's Supreme Court banned "triple talaq", or instant divorce, practised by some in the Muslim community, saying it is "unconstitutional". Complying with the orders of the apex court the central government drafted the bill "Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Divorce Bill 2017" states that the Muslim husband will be punished with 3 years of imprisonment if he gives the instant divorce. The bill is yet to be passed by Parliament.