Congress leader M Veerappa Moily says practice of triple talaq needs reform, but opposes Uniform Civil Code

Former Law Minister M Veerappa Moily has expressed his opinion on the government’s stand on the practice of triple talaq. The Congress leader has asked the Muslims to think about reforming themselves so that the axe of law does not fall on them. He also said that religions will have to introspect and reform in every field where triple talaq practice needs to be changed.

“Any reform in any religion will have to come from within. It is always difficult to impose it by law. I think as civilisation advances, each one and each religion will have to introspect and make reforms in whichever field civilisation warrants. I don’t think we can have very rigid practices. Triple talaq is one such area where reform is necessary,” he said Indian Express.

“It is a question of humanity. Having three wives, I don’t think, any religion can propagate it. Even in so far as Islam is concerned, they are also not propagating it. Many Muslim countries don’t practice triple talaq… So, instead of waiting for a public debate and waiting for a law to tell us what should be done, it is high time our Muslim brothers and sisters think of reforming themselves, so that the axe of law will not fall on them,” he said.

Also read: Law panel seeks public views on Triple Talaq, uniform civil code

Earlier, the sensitive issue of triple talaq was broached by the Law Commission. The commission asked the public whether the practice of triple talaq be abolished and whether a uniform civil code should be optional.

Amid a raging debate on uniform civil code, the law panel has sought public views on the subject to revise and reform family laws, saying the aim is to address social injustice rather than plurality of laws.

Also read: Triple talaq row: Muslim Personal Law Board says Uniform Civil Code not good for India

In an issued appeal, the Commission said the objective behind the endeavour is to address discrimination against vulnerable groups and harmonise the various cultural practices even as it assured the people that the "norms of no one class, group or community will dominate the tone and tenor of family law reforms".

In an accompanying questionnaire, the Commission has asked whether the existing personal laws and customary practices need codification and whether it would benefit people.

Also read: Triple talaq row: Govt hits out at Muslim Personal Law Board, calls for 'enlightened debate' on Uniform Civil Code

Should the practice of triple talaq be abolished, retained or retained with suitable amendments; and whether a uniform civil code should be optional are among 16 queries by the commission.

It has also sought to know whether the uniform code should include subjects like divorce, marriage, adoption, child custody, succession and inheritance.