A Muslim woman leaving her religion behind embraces Hinduism in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district. The woman Nasreen became Neha to marry a Hindu man. She has left her abusive husband, who gave her triple talaq and also forced her to undergo Halala.
Following the marriage, there have been protests against the couple. The family members of Nasreen threatened the groom and the woman saying they will chop them into pieces. However, soon after the marriage, the couple reached the office of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Bareilly seeking protection.
The victim Nasreen is a resident of Digoi village that falls under the jurisdiction of Bhamora police. Nasreen in a media interaction said, “Though I was born in a Muslim family, I always had a special liking for the Hindu religion. I want to devote the rest of my life to Hindu deities and hence I have embraced Hinduism”.
After, coming to the Sanatan fold, Neha got married to Rahul. She said she loves him and knows he will keep her safe and sound. She had chosen Rahul, as her life partner on her own and no one forced her to follow Hinduism.
She believes Hinduism provides freedom to women.
Recalling her past life Neha said, her husband before Rahul was a Muslim man. He was an alcoholic and used to assault her almost every single day. He used to doubt her a lot, after she gave birth to his child, he refused to accept the children and gave her instant triple talaq. After the talaq, he started pressuring her to undergo halala. Tired of his weird demands Nasreen returned to her parent’s house.
Almost a year ago she met Rahul at her workplace in Delhi. They both fell in love with each other. For Rahul Nasreen embraced Hinduism.
What is Triple Talaq?
Islamic clerics often claim that ‘Talaq’ is highly unwanted in a marriage and the last resort of the husband. However, it is routinely seen that Muslim men use it as a tool to blackmail or harass their wives.
There are three types of Talaq that are practised in Muslim society:
1. Talaq-e-Biddat: The instant Triple Talaq, where a man repeats this word thrice and the divorce is said to be done. This has been outlawed by the Indian government.
2. Talaq-e-Hassan: In this, the husband says the word ‘Talaq’ once for three consecutive months. After the cycle of three months is completed, the Talaq is done. Notably, the condition here is the husband can only give divorce to his wife when she is not on her period. Many perform this way of ‘Talaq’ by uttering the word after every menstrual cycle of the woman.
3. Talaq-e-Ahsan: In this, the husband says the word ‘Talaq’ once and then the couple starts living separately. The woman has to spend some time there, usually a span of three menstrual cycles. This waiting period is called ‘iddat’. The husbands can revoke the Talaq anytime during the ‘iddat’ period.
The Triple Talaq Law, 2019
In August 2019, the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) bill became an act after it was passed by both houses of the parliament. The highlights from the law are:
1. Instant Triple Talaq or ‘Talaq-e-Biddat’ became illegal.
2. Police can arrest the man accused of Triple Talaq without any warrant.
3. The law provides imprisonment for a term of up to three years.
4. The woman who has been the victim of Triple Talaq will get custody of minor children.
5. The woman can ask for alimony, an amount to be decided by the magistrate.
6. The magistrate can grant bail to the accused only after the victim supports the decision.
It is notable that this law only curbs ‘Talaq-e-Biddat‘ whereas ‘Talaq-e-Hassan‘ and ‘Talaq-e-Ahsan‘ are allowed to be practised by Muslim men.
What is Halala?
As soon as the husband says ‘Talaq..Talaq..Talaq’, the relationship between the couple is over as per Islamic customs. This practice is called ‘Talaq-e-Biddat’. After this is done, the woman has to live at her in-laws’ house but not with her husband for a duration of three months and 13 days.
