The Supreme Court’s striking down of the ‘unconstitutional’ practice of triple talaq on Tuesday was one of Indian law’s landmark judgements.
Triple Talaq violated the fundamental right of Muslim women and the ruling came as a relief for scores of women who constantly lived in the fear of receiving a ‘talaq’ at any moment.
However, the passing of the historical judgement didn’t happen overnight.
Following years of struggle, it was the petition filed by five Muslim women challenging the constitutional validity of the archaic practice that brought about the verdict.
Here are the five women who challenged the provisions of triple talaq in the court:
1. Shayara Bano
One of the main petitioners in the Supreme Court of India who initiated the legal battle against the practice was the 35-year-old mother of two hailing from Kashipur, Uttarakhand.
Shayara was given a divorce by her husband after 15 years of marriage through a letter, following which their children were taken away from her and she was forced to leave her hometown because of societal pressure.
2. Aafreen Rehman
The 26 year old young woman from Jaipur, Rajasthan had gotten married in 2014 after finding a match through a matrimonial website. However, a few months into the marriage, her in-laws began demanding dowry. Starting with mental harassment, they soon resorted to violent measures.
Unable to bear the torture, the young woman went back to her parents, only to receive a divorce in a letter through speed post last year.
3. Gulshan Parveen
The 31-year-old from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh had a similar story as that of Aafreen. Married in 2013, she was physically abused for dowry for more than two years following which she returned to her parents place. The mother of one was soon sent a Rs 10 stamp paper announcing a divorce while she was at her parents’ place in 2015.
4. Ishrat Jahan
Mother of four, the 31-year-old was divorced by her husband over a phone call from Dubai in 2015. Hailing from Howrah, West Bengal, Ishrat was married for 15 years.
5. Atiya Sabri
Married in 2012, the 30-year-old resident from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh filed a complaint with the local Mahila Thana following years of torture by her in-laws – who were demanding ₹25 lakh as dowry in 2015.
A mother of two, Atiya was given a divorce by her husband on a piece of paper.
Also, organisations like Muslim Women’s Quest for Equality (MWQE) and Khuran Sunnath Society (KSS) were amongst the petitioners against the triple talaq.
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