Muslim women's body hails triple talaq ordinance

New Delhi : The Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) on Wednesday welcomed the ordinance making instant triple talaq a punishable offence with a three-year jail term.

"It would have been ideal if both houses of Parliament had passed the Bill unanimously, especially after some very important amendments were made to the original Bill. Nonetheless it is a much-awaited and a much wanted legislation," it said in a statement.

This ordinance followed the lack of consensus among political parties in the House.

Under the Ordinance, the crime will be recognized only when the woman herself or her blood relative files a complaint. Second, the case may be dropped if the couple reach a compromise, but only if the wife approaches the magistrate. Third, the magistrate can grant the accused bail, on reasonable grounds, but only after hearing the wife.

The wife will be given custody of the child and is entitled to maintenance - decided by the magistrate - for herself and her children.

"These are much appreciated amendments to the Bill for which BMMA had been asking for," it said.

"We are thankful to the central government for heeding to the voice of Muslim women who demanded the above amendments. And we urge all political parties to recognize, acknowledge and extend their support to the demands of Muslim women."