HARIDWAR: With the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) coming into effect in Uttarakhand on Monday, the practices of Halala and Iddat have been officially banned in the state. While many have welcomed the move as a step towards "equality", some from the community have expressed concerns, fearing it may be used as a tool to marginalise them.
Halala, a controversial practice among a small section of the minority population, requires a divorced woman to marry and consummate a marriage with another man before remarrying her former husband. Iddat is a waiting period that a woman must observe after divorce or the death of a husband before remarrying. The duration may vary as the length of Iddat depends on circumstances and the woman must "follow a simple lifestyle during the time period".
Social activist Shahnawaz Siddique highlighted the progressive aspects of the UCC, such as mandatory marriage registration and property rights for women. He added: "While Muslim women already have inheritance rights under Sharia law, social reforms should largely focus on education. UCC should not become a tool to target us."
Welcoming the govt's decision, Siddique pointed out that "Halala was already forbidden in Islam according to the hadith of the prophet and may be still practiced by a small minority of Muslims, mainly in places that recognise triple talaq."
However, religious leaders voiced strong opposition. Maulana Arif, state president of Jamiat Ulema (Uttarakhand), told TOI: "This is a clear violation of our constitutional rights. The Constitution allows us to follow our faith and its laws. Govt's interference in religious matters is unacceptable."
Reshma Parveen, a homemaker from Jwalapur, Haridwar, said, "Triple talaq and Halala are rarely practiced today. The concept of Iddat protects the rights of unborn children. While some UCC provisions are commendable, it should be extended to include Scheduled Tribes for true uniformity."
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