Kozhikode: NISA, the Progressive Muslim Women's Forum here, has expressed concern over some provisions of the triple talaq Bill being debated in Parliament. “The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 does not give equal position to men and women,” the NISA said in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Bill is one-sided and doesn’t have much difference from the existing one, it said. “Changing the duration to three months doesn’t help the woman from getting divorced as there is no provision for her to decide whether she can continue to live with her husband or not,” V.P. Zuhara, NISA president told reporters here.
“Though the Bill makes the divorced woman entitled to the custody of minor children after approaching the court, it does not assure any financial security from the husband. Also, the existing law wants the woman to approach the court in case of divorce when the man can just do the triple talaq. This provision is not changed in the new Bill,” Zuhara added.
“Only Nikah Halala (ceremonial marriage) happens and not Nikah Nama (marriage registration). The registration should be done immediately after the marriage. But they remember it only when they want a passport, divorce or any other legal matter,” she said. The letter said that in case the government fails to pass the Bill in favour of Muslim women, it should implement the Special Marriage Act (SMA) to the adherents of all religions, including Islam.
