Maulana Syed Mohammad Wali Rahmani, general secretary of All India Muslim Personal Board, (AIMPLB), presenting secretary’s report.( File Photo Maeeshat)

By Maeeshat Correspondent,

New Delhi, Aug 23: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has welcomed the Supreme Court order on instant Triple Talaq saying “it accords protection to Muslim personal law and says that personal laws cannot be tested by courts on the grounds of violation of fundamental rights.”

While declaring instant Triple Talaq invalid and unconstitutional, the constitution bench of the apex court on Tuesdaysaid that personal laws have status of fundamental rights.

“We, as a representative body, welcome the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court since it accords protection to Muslim personal law and says that personal laws cannot be tested by courts on the grounds of violation of fundamental rights,” said AIMPLB in a statement.

“The majority (comprising Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice Abdul Nazir, with Justice Kurian Joseph agreeing) has accorded personal laws the status of a fundamental right being protected under the right to practise religion contained in Article 25. This is a huge victory for us as the judgment vindicates our stand and ensures the fundamental right of citizens of this country to freely profess and practice their religious faith/beliefs,” the board said.

On the instant Triple Talaq being banned by the apex court, the board said it had already submitted to the court that it did not consider instant Triple Talaq as the best way or pronouncing Talaq and it had been discouraging the practice.

“We had already submitted to the court that the practice of three pronouncements of Talaq in one sitting, though it has basis in religious texts and belief thereon, is not the best way of pronouncing Talaq and various surveys suggest that it is seldom resorted to. For a long time, we ourselves have taken steps to discourage this practice through community reform programmes and Model Form of Nikahnama issued by the Board,” the board said.