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From PM Modi To The AIMPLB, Here Are Some Reactions To The SC's Triple Talaq Verdict

The majority of leaders welcomed the move.
Amit Dave / Reuters

Reactions poured in from all corners even as the Supreme Court of India delivered its landmark judgment striking down the practice of instant triple talaq practiced by Muslims in India.

The apex court said,"Triple talaqmay be a permissible practice but it retrograde and unworthy. Since triple talaqis instant it is irrevocable and the marital tie gets broken. It is violative of Article 14, the right to equality."

One of the first reactions came from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who took to Twitter to welcome the decision.

The ministers in Modi's cabinet, and BJP chief Amit Shah, too welcomed the the judgement.

IANS quoted Amit Shah as saying in a statement, "I welcome this historical decision... This judgement is not about anyone's victory or defeat. This is the victory of basic Constitutional rights of Muslim women and their right to live with equality."

"It is the beginning of new era for the Muslim women to live with self respect and equality. The BJP welcomes the rights given to the Muslim women and sees it as a step forward towards a new India," he said.

Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was quoted by the PTI as saying, "We should not adopt a rigid attitude, but choose a reformist approach towards social evil. The central government will talk to all the political parties on framing a law on this issue."

The report quoted Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad saying that the Centre had coordinated with Muslim women on the issue top place their views in court as the government's stand.

"This is not the matter of any religion. The point here is about the gender equality, gender justice and gender dignity. This is the victory of India's constitutional values," Prasad told reporters here.

While the Congress party and the government are usually hold opposite opinions on most issues, the Congress was on the same page as the government over the triple talaq verdict.

PTI reported Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala as saying, "This verdict is an affirmation of the rights of women and gives relief to them against being subjected to discrimination by a practice that had been perverted over the years. We welcome the acceptance of this reality by the court."

Congress leader Kapil Sibal said:

A positive reaction also came from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).

IANS quoted a statement from them as saying, "As a representative body, we welcome the judgment...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," it said.

Human rights body Amnesty International too welcomed the verdict. Asmita Basu, Programmes Director at Amnesty International India said in a statement, "We welcome the Supreme Court judgment. Triple talaq is a discriminatory practice that violates women's right to equality, and has devastated the lives of many Muslim women."

"The Supreme Court's bar on this regressive practice is a step forward for women's rights in India. We urge the government to repeal all religious family laws that violate women's right to equality, without exception," she said.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.