AIMPLB wants Sharia courts in all districts; BJP says ‘this isn't Islamic Republic of India'

New Delhi, July 8: With the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) planning to open Darul-Qaza (Sharia courts) in all districts of the country, the BJP has said that there is no place for such court anywhere in the country.

As per a PTI report, the plan to open Darul-Qaza in all districts of India would come up for discussion at a meeting of the Muslim Law Board in Delhi on July 15.

Reacting to this, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi told ANI, "You can discuss religious matters but court binds this nation. There is no place for Sharia Court, be it district or village or city. Courts will work in accordance with law. This isn't Islamic Republic of India."

AIMPLB's Zafaryab Jilani said that Darul-Qaza is not a parallel court, but a place where Qazis (Islamic scholars) give suggestions to solve disputes.

"We don't call it shariat court. It's Darul Qaza, where Quazi solves matrimonial disputes or suggests ways for separations if issues aren't solved..Muslim Personal Law Board started it in India in 1993. This is nothing new. Central govt has no relation with it. SC had also allowed it to continue while observing that it's not a parallel court," Jilani told ANI.

It was earlier reported that AIMPLB, the highest decision-making body on Muslim affairs, plans to open Darul-Qaza in all districts of the country to resolve issues in line with Islamic laws.

"At present, there are 40 such courts in Uttar Pradesh. We plan to open one such court in every districts of the country. The objective of Darul-Qaza is to resolve matters in light of Shariat laws instead of going to other courts," senior member AIMPLB, Zafaryab Zilani, told news agency PTI.

Noting that around Rs. 50,000 is spent on running a Darul-Qaza (Sharia court), he said, "They will be discussing ways to generate resources for this during a meeting of AIMPLB in Delhi on July 15".

With an aim to make lawyers, judges and the common man aware about Sharia law, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board will also be activating its Tafheem-e-Shariyat (TeS) committee.

"We will be activating Tafheem-e-Shariyat committee to make lawyers, judges and the common man aware about Shariat laws. We will be discussing this at the All India Muslim Personal Law Board meet," Jilani said.

He said the Tafheem-e-Shariyat committee has been around for 15 years, and is entrusted with the task of making lawyers and judges, if possible, aware of arguments related to Sharia law.

"The committee was used to organise conferences and workshops all over the country, with Islamic experts trying to delve in details about Shariat laws and address queries of participants. It is now felt that the committee should be activated and more such programs should be held," he said.

The issues taken up by the committee in various programs, included "Triple Talaq and Virasat" (divorce and inheritance) besides others.

Asked about the other matters that will figure in the meeting, he said the progress of the Babri Masjid (mosque) case will be discussed, and future course of action will be decided.

"The Muslim faction does not want a delay in the Supreme Court's decision on the matter as reported in the media," he said.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board meeting comes against the backdrop of statements by some leaders favouring construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

"Statements are being made on the Ayodhya issue. Some are saying that the decision will come in a particular month and it will be in favour of a particular side. Such statements are an attempt to belittle the highest court of the country. This should be taken into consideration. It will be discussed in the meeting," a Muslim Law Board member said, according to news agency PTI.

He confirmed that the Muslim Law Board has already said it would accept any decision made by the Supreme Court on the issue.

OneIndia News with PTI inputs