All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), the highest decision-making body on Muslim affairs, plans to open Darul-Qaza (Shariat courts) in all districts of the country to resolves issues in line with Islamic laws, PTI reported.
The proposal will come up for discussion at a meeting of the board in New Delhi on 15 July.
At present there are 40 such courts in Uttar Pradesh. We plan to open one such court in all districts of the country. The objective of Darul-Qaza is to resolve matters in light of Shariat laws instead of going to other courts.Zafaryab Zilani, AIMPLB Member, as quoted by PTI
Noting that about Rs 50,000 is spent on running a Darul-Qaza, he said, "They will be discussing ways to generate resources for this during a meeting of AIMPLB in New Delhi on 15 July".
With a view of making lawyers, judges and common folk aware of Shariat laws, AIMPLB will also be activating its Tafheem-e-Shariyat (TeS) committee.
"We will be activating Tafheem-e-Shariyat committee to make lawyers, judges and common man aware about Shariat laws. We will be discussing this at the AIMPLB meet," Zilani told PTI.
"The committee used to organise conferences and workshops all over the country with Islamic experts trying to delve in details about Shariat laws and address queries of participants. It is felt that the committee should be activated and more such programs should be held," he said.
The issues taken up by the committee in various programs, included “Triple Talaq and virasat” (divorce and inheritance) besides others.
Asked about the other matters that will figure in the meet, he said progress of Babri mosque case will be discussed and future course of action will be decided.
"The Muslim faction does not want delay in SC's decision on the matter as reported in the media," he said.
The AIMPLB meeting comes against the backdrop of statements by some leaders favouring construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
"Statements on the Ayodhya issue are coming. Some are saying the decision will come in a particular month and it will be in favour of a particular side. Such statements are an attempt to belittle the highest court. This should be taken into consideration. It will be discussed in the meeting," a AIMPLB member said, as quoted by PTI.
He said the board has already said it would accept the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue.
It’s Unconstitutional, Say Political Bigwigs
The announcement has drawn flak from ranks and file of the government and the Opposition, with most calling it unconstitutional.
BJP’s Meenakshi Lekhi said that while religious matters can be discussed at such forums, the court of law is what binds the nation.
“You can discuss religious matters but court binds this nation. There is no place for Sharia Court, be it a district or a village or a city. Courts will work in accordance with the law. This isn't Islamic Republic of India,” Lekhi told ANI.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy alleged that it was another way of dividing the society.
It’s a de-facto way of dividing the country and creating secession. There’s only one court and one law. The Constitution is the guiding force and anything outside it will not be acceptable.Subramanian Swamy, as quoted by ANI
“Any attempt made, should be acted upon strongly by the government and these people should be arrested under the national security act,” he added.
UP Shia Waqf Board's Wasim Rizvi claimed that the establishment of such institutions would lead to creation of a "Kashmir-like situation in the country".
"We have a Constitution in place and a functioning law and order. The country follows the Constitution, not a Shariat court. AIMPLB is trying to ruin the harmony in India by creating a Kashmir-like situation everywhere. If this is implemented, we want the AIMPLB to be banned and strict action to be taken," he told ANI.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
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