‘Historic’: Muslim women, leaders laud top court verdict on alimony
This is indeed a historic verdict in favour of those women who are forced to live in abject poverty. FARZANA BEGUM, Social activist from Kishanganj
Several women politicians and social activists from Muslim community hailed the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on Wednesday that affirmed the right of Muslim women to seek maintenance, saying the verdict will proved to be a boon for those facing abject poverty.
The apex court in a judgment of far-reaching implications held that a Muslim woman can seek maintenance from her husband under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), observing that the “religion neutral” provision is applicable to all married women irrespective of their religion.
Farzana Begum, a social activist from Kishanganj in Bihar, hailed the verdict as “historic”. “This is indeed a historic verdict in favour of those women who are forced to live in abject poverty after being divorced by their husbands,” Begum said. “The verdict will prove to be a boon especially for women with young children. I know many such women who will be benefitted by this verdict.”
Former Rajya Sabha member and Janata Dal (United) leader Kahkashan Perween said: “We all should welcome the Supreme Court’s verdict.”
Saima Khan (40), a resident of Shaheen Bagh in Delhi, said the top court’s judgment will give confidence to Muslim women in seeking maintenance. “There are countless women whose husbands leave them and their chilto fend for themselves — especially in low-income groups — forcing the women to go out for work leaving children unattended. The ruling will build their confidence in asking for maintenance,” Khan said.
Ayisabi Pandikasala, an independent councillor in Kerala’s Kozhikode, said the ruling will enable poor divorced women some financial stability. “Earlier, once divorced, if the woman gets the custody of the children, she’d suffer raising them even though the law states the children must be provided for by the father. But not all men do that. This verdict will enable poor divorced women financial stability.”
Zeenath KP, a native of Pallippuram in Malappuram district of Kerala, said: “The verdict is certainly good as it affirms the rights of women. I strongly believe that if the man gave the divorce to a Muslim woman illegally and without her consent, she certainly has the right to seek maintenance from him. At the same time, the law should be equal. If the woman divorces her husband on her own volition and marries another man, I don’t think she has the right to seek maintenance.”
‘Significant step towards gender equality’
National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma on Wednesday welcomed the court’s ruling.
“I wholeheartedly welcome the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling... This decision is a significant step towards ensuring gender equality and justice for all women, regardless of their religion,” Sharma said.
She added: “It reinforces the principle that no woman should be left without support and protection under the law.”