We Muslims believe in Islam and it permits triple talaq: Trinamool MLA Siddiqullah Chowdhury

Kolkata: West Bengal Minister and Trinamool Congress MLA Siddiqullah Chowdhury on Tuesday refused to accept the path-breaking Supreme Court verdict striking down the 1,400-year-old practice of instant 'triple talaq' among Sunni Muslims.

“The Supreme Court and the government can ponder on the triple talaq judgement. We Muslims believe in Islam and it permits triple talaq and it will remain that way,” Minister for Libraries in the Mamata Banerjee government said, adding, “We will not tolerate any interference in it."

When asked whether it worries him that his statement could amount to contempt of court proceedings against him, the TMC MLA from Mangalkot in Bardhaman district said, “That will be decided by the court and not the media, what we are saying is absolutely right.”

Referring to former chief Justice of India JS Khehar's judgement on triple talaq, Chowdhury said, the honourable judge had said that here is no room for interference in Muslim Personal Law, triple talaq and marriage.

He called for review of the SC order by a nine-judge bench.

The Trinamool leader made the comments while speaking to Times Now.

A five-judge Constitution bench, by a majority of 3:2 in which Khehar found himself in a minority, had said in its order, "In view of the different opinions recorded by a majority of 3:2, the practice of 'talaq-e-biddat' or triple talaq is set aside."

Khehar and Justice S Abdul Nazeer constituting the minority in the five-bench Constitutional bench had ordered an injunction on triple talaq at least for six months - by when the government should consider steps to initiate legislation on the issue.

The other three judges had disagreed.

"In view of the different opinions recorded, by a majority of 3:2 the practice of talaq-e-biddat - triple talaq - is set aside," the bench comprising Khehar, Kurian Joseph, Rohinton F Nariman, UU Lalit and Abdul Nazeer had said in the concluding para of the 395-page ruling.

The apex court gave its judgment on a petition filed by Muslim woman Shayara Bano, joined by a Muslim group and four other women.