Prof. Nivedita Menon and Zi- Us-Salam talked on the issue of Triple Talaq in Ramjas College on 28th January 2019.
The Department of Political Science, Ramjas College organised a talk on Triple Talaq on the 28th January 2019. The key speakers were Zia-Us-Salam, Associate Editor of Frontline, a literary and social commentator, and the author of ‘Till Talaq Do Us Part’ and ‘Of Saffron Flags and Skullcaps’ and Prof. Nivedita Menon, a professor of political thought at Jawaharlal Nehru University was also one
The talk began with Zia-us-Salam clarifying the term Triple Talaq, and suggested the usage of the term ‘instant Triple Talaq’. Salam further went on to elucidate on Islamic marriage laws, role of the women in Islamic marriages, and the eight forms of divorce in Islam. He quoted verses from the Quran with respect to the topics. He further added that the role of the media in spreading propaganda, and hate against the Muslims and Islamic beliefs has severely impacted the discourses on Islamic thoughts and teachings.
The discussion then stirred towards the legality of Triple Talaq in context with Muslim laws and the role of maulanas and imams in situations involving the same.“Most incidents of Triple Talaq are eloquent examples of the failure of Muslim society to instill in its men the teachings of the Quran; instead, they end up relying on the Quran’s interpretation by local maulanas,” Salam said while quoting his book, ‘Till Talaq Do Us Apart’.
Nivedita Menon asserted on the prevailing patriarchal atmosphere in the country, islamophobia in the context of mob lynchings, cow-slaughter and ‘love jihad’. Menon brought up the correlation between patriarchy and organised religion. Menon remarked that Islam had been ‘hijacked by the maulanas’. She talked about how marriage laws differ in every religion. According to Hindu Marriage Laws, marriage is a sacrament between two people. Whereas, according to Muslim laws, marriage is a contract and the terms of the contract can be negotiated.
Keeping the Uniform Civil Code in mind, Menon pointed out that it has nothing to do with gender justice, but with a Hindu nationalist agenda. She defined marriage as a civil institution. A two way argument on how Triple Talaq is not given in script was discussed.
Menon discussed the position of the Muslim women in the society in respect the current political atmosphere. She said, “We need to stop sounding like the patriarchies we’re fighting.” Menon also spoke about adultery laws and the discrepancies in it. She mentioned the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan and their efforts as women’s rights organisation for the Muslim women who have been victims of instant Triple Talaq, and faced social ostracization as a result.
Both the speakers agreed on the current islamophobic atmosphere and the patriarchal structure of certain Muslim communities, and its influence on instant Triple Talaq.
Feature Image Credits:Department of Political Science, Ramjas College
Jaishree Kumar
