Page 22 - NIS English 01-15 March 2022

Cover Story Women Power

SAIRA BANU

IS THE VOICE OF LAKHS OF WOMEN
AGAINST TRIPLE TALAQ

aira Banu, daughter of a retired army officer Triple Talaq abolished Strict Provisions
Sfrom Kashipur, Uttarakhand, was married on Muslim Women Criminal Law
11 April 2002 to Rizwan, a resident of GTB Nagar (Protection of Rights (Amendment) Act

area of Prayagraj. Like all other girls, Saira, who got on Marriage) Act, 2019 passed in 2018 having
married after getting a master's degree in social came into force after provision for stringent
science, left her maternal home for a better future. President's signature but punishment including
After a few days, her property dealer husband was considered effective hanging for rape
and other in-laws started harassing her. Despite from 19 September 2018. convicts
having two children, Saira was assaulted. She was FAST TRACK SPECIAL COURTS
taunted and threatened to be thrown out of house. Establishment of 1023 fast track special courts
In the month of October 2015, when Saira came for speedy trial of cases related to sexual
to her maternal home for a few days, her husband offenses. Even during the COVID pandemic, more
divorced her through Triple Talaq. Like Saira, lakhs than 49 thousand pending cases related to rape
of women were facing this scourge. However, Saira and POCSO were settled.
approached the Supreme Court against it. In May
2017, the Supreme Court ruled in her favour. After was passed by the Parliament, giving rights to crores
this, despite protests, in monsoon session this law of Muslim women.

20 New India Samachar March 1-15, 2022