'Why is divorce criminal for Muslims?': Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan re-ignites Triple Talaq debate

Triple Talaq is a non-bailable and cognisable offence punishable with a fine and up to 3 years imprisonment.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan found himself at the centre of a controversy over his alleged remarks backing Triple Talaq.

Further, Vijayan questioned the Central government's intention for criminalising triple talaq and asked why it is considered a criminal offence for Muslims alone when divorce from all other religions is seen as a civil case.

"Divorce happens in all religions but Triple Talaq was criminalised. All others are seen as civil cases. Why is it a criminal offence for Muslims alone? So, in the case of a divorce, if it's a Muslim, then he can be jailed. We are all Indians. Can we say that we got our citizenship because we were born into a particular religion? Has religion ever been the basis for citizenship?" Vijayan was quoted saying by India Today.

The Supreme Court, on 18th May, 2017, declared Triple Talaq as unconstitutional. By abolishing the Triple Talaq, the Modi Government has strengthened the socio-economic, fundamental and constitutional rights of Muslim women.

A year later, the President of India passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Ordinance 2018, which made triple talaq void and illegal.

Now, Triple Talaq is a non-bailable and cognisable offence punishable with a fine and up to 3 years imprisonment.

Several Muslim-majority nations of the world have declared Triple Talaq as illegal and un-Islamic. Egypt was the first Muslim nation which abolished this social evil in 1929. Sudan in 1929, Pakistan in 1956, Bangladesh in 1972, Iraq in 1959, Syria in 1953, Malaysia in 1969 had abolished the practice of Triple Talaq.

Besides, countries such as Cyprus, Jordan, Algeria, Iran, Brunei, Morocco, Qatar, UAE also ended this social evil many years ago.