Muslim group demands ban on divorce via Skype, Facebook

Protesting against divorces being given by uttering talaq thrice using mediums such as Skype or Facebook, Muslim women participated in a rally organised by the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan at Azad Maidan on Wednesday. Mugdha Variyar reports.

Protesting against divorces being given by uttering talaq thrice using mediums such as Skype or Facebook, more than 200 Muslim women participated in a rally organised by the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) at Azad Maidan on Wednesday.

While the core committee meeting held on Monday finalised several provisions for the state's policy for women, the panel did not include provisions or codification of Muslim laws and ban on oral divorce, as they were 'sensitive'.

The group, on Wednesday, organised rallies across 10 cities to demand a ban on unilateral divorce. The group claimed that the absence of provisions to ban unilateral divorce and codification of family laws are being used to exploit women from the community.

"The committee members had told us that they will not be able to incorporate these demands, as it comes under the Muslim Personal Law which is a sensitive matter," said Noorjehan Safia, founder of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA).

Farida Lambay, a committee member, said, "It is best to let the community take the first step on these matters. We have included provisions for education of Muslim women, including scholarships, technical education, and freeships."