Women's group sits on half day fast at Azad Maidan for Triple Talaq Act

Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), which was one of the parties to the case that saw triple talaq being banned by Supreme Court sat on a half day hunger strike demanding an Act on Triple Talaq at Azad Maidan.

"The demand is being raised across India. Some have sat on fast while some protested. We are demanding that a law is passed by opposition parties," said Noorjehan Safia Niaz, co-convenor of BMMA. BMMA sent out a message asking the leading opposition party, Congress and other parties that Triple Talaq Act be passed which is likely to be taken up for discussion today in Parliament.

A group of around 15 women said on the half day fast. "Recently we got off a triple talaq case. The person divorced his wife on phone," said Noorjehan. When asked about opposition not supporting the passage of the Act because it alleges that government is not sincere in the welfare of the Muslim community at large and doing it only for "credit", Noorjehan said, "Who has asked them to not take credit. We approached them for so many years. They did not do anything. If someone's politics suits our demand, we have no problem. They can also take credit for passing the Act."

On the recent attacks related to alleged cow slaughter on the members of the Muslim community, she added, "We understand the contradiction in our demand. But when we approached their leaders, they did not talk to us. This is a Gandhian way in which we are raising our demands. Every other community has a personal law and there is no reason why Muslims should not have theirs."

When asked about community leaders stating that BMMA does not reflect the larger community's views, she said, "We do not have the kind of money they have to mobilise women."