New Delhi, August 22: The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, a body of top Indian Muslim clerics, has moved a petition in the Supreme Court seeking stay on the triple talaq law. The plea has asked the apex court bench to order a stay on the law, alleging that provisions of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act 2019 are violative of the Constitution.

The Jamiat's legal counsel had last month announced that it would challenge the recently passed Muslim Women Act 2019 in the apex court, claiming that the law is designed to "frame" Muslim men and deliberately target them. Further, they argued, a Muslim divorcing his wife illegally would be asked to serve three years in prison as opposed to his Hindu counterpart. Triple Talaq Bill Passed: India Joins Pakistan, Saudi Arabia in Outlawing Practice; Check List of Countries Where Instant Divorce is Banned

Update by ANI:

The practice of triple talaq or instant divorce was criminalised by the government with the passage of the Bill in both the Houses in the recently convened Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has also opposed the passage of the law, calling it an assault on India's diversity and plurality. The Board, while agreeing that the practice of triple talaq is a social evil, alleged that the law which the government has introduced will adversely impact Muslim households.

Hyderabad lawmaker Asaduddin Owaisi, who is a member of the AIMPLB, said the clerics are not in favour of continuing the practice, but are only opposed to the provisions of the law which the Centre has passed without consulting any Muslim body.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 22, 2019 05:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).