The new law must not reek of RSS ideology: Mayawati

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Tuesday welcomed Supreme Court's decision on triple talaq and urged the Centre to make the new law with no influence of RSS agenda.

Mayawati, while addressing a press conference here, asked the Centre to ensure stringent implement of the new law.

"Our Party hails the historic decision of the Supreme Court. I would like to urge Centre to not politicize this matter and bring in a law in the regard as per the guidance of the Supreme Court. I would like to assert that the Centre must note that it should not impose RSS agenda while making the new law," said Mayawati.

"I also call for a firm implementation of the new law. It would have been better that the Muslim law board would have taken cognizance and done the needful. This ruling will help the Muslim women to live with pride," he added.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court struck down the Triple Talaq practice as 'unconstitutional' by a 3:2 majority.

The five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) J.S. Khehar, deciding on the verdict, was seemingly split on the legality of the practice.

Justice Nariman, Justice Lalit and Justice Kurien opposed the view of Justice Nazir and Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar and dubbed the practice of Triple Talaq as unconstitutional and unislamic.

The Supreme Court further asked the Union Government to formulate a new legislation within six months.

The apex court reportedly referred to the abolition of triple talaq in the Islamic countries and asked "why can't independent India get rid of it."

The decision came soon after the apex court resumed the hearing on the matter on Tuesday morning.

CJI Khehar, while pronouncing the judgement, however, upheld the practice and said, "Talaq-e-biddat is not violative of articles 14, 15, 21 and 25 of the Constitution."

The CJI, further using his power under Article 142, directed the Union of India to form a proper legislature regarding 'talaq-e-iddat.'

CJI Khehar said that all parties must decide keeping politics aside.

The constitution bench had reserved its verdict on May 18 after a six-day marathon hearing.

During the hearing, the Centre had assured the apex court that it would come out with a law to regulate marriage and divorce among Muslims if triple talaq is upheld as invalid.

Rohatgi also conveyed to the apex court bench that triple talaq violates Muslim women's right to equality within the community, and also within the country

Earlier in the hearing, the apex court refused to hear all the three cases of polygamy, nikah and halala at once, saying it will focus on one matter at a time.

The Centre, earlier on May 11, told the apex court that it opposes the triple talaq practice and wants to fight for women equality and gender justice.

Various petitioners had knocked the doors of the apex court seeking to strike down triple talaq.