In a shocking incident from Uttar Pradesh, a woman has filed a police complaint alleging that her husband divorced her by uttering the words "triple talaq" after she praised the police for their actions during the recent Sambhal violence. The incident has stirred controversy, especially as it brings attention to the issue of instant divorce under the practice of "triple talaq," which was banned by the Supreme Court in 2017.

A Dispute Over Police Action

The woman, identified as Nida, was watching a video about the violence in Sambhal, which erupted during protests over a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, when the dispute began. The protests, sparked by claims that a Hindu temple once stood at the site of the mosque, resulted in clashes between demonstrators and police, leaving four people dead and several others injured. Nida, who was preparing to visit Sambhal for a wedding and personal work, was concerned about the situation and watched a video to check the safety conditions.

Her husband, Ejazul, allegedly asked her to stop watching the video, and when she expressed her support for the police action, he became enraged. Nida, who said that the police were justified in their response, claims that her husband then accused her of not being a Muslim and of siding with the police, who were seen as opposing Muslim protestors. In response, he allegedly pronounced "talaq" three times, divorcing her.

"I was watching the video to see if it was safe to visit Sambhal. When I told my husband that the police were just defending themselves, he became furious and said I was no longer his wife. He uttered 'talaq' three times without any reason," Nida told reporters. "There was no justification for his actions."

Triple Talaq and Legal Implications

The practice of "triple talaq," where a Muslim man could instantly divorce his wife by saying "talaq" three times, was deemed unconstitutional by the Indian Supreme Court in 2017. The practice was officially outlawed by a law passed in 2019 under the Modi government. Despite this, incidents like the one involving Nida continue to raise concerns about its lingering impact.

Nida, who hails from Moradabad, has approached the local police station to file her complaint against her husband, Ejazul, seeking justice. "I didn't deserve this. I was simply expressing my opinion," she stated.

Tensions in Sambhal

The violence in Sambhal, which occurred on November 24, had its roots in a court-ordered survey on November 19 to investigate whether the centuries-old Shahi Jama Masjid had been built on a Hindu temple. The violence escalated when protests turned into clashes between police and demonstrators. Police reported that 29 officers were injured during the unrest, and four people lost their lives. Nida, who is a mother of three, had previously been divorced in 2021, before entering a relationship with Ejazul.

The couple had been married for three years, but tensions reportedly simmered in their marriage, particularly after Nida voiced her views on the Sambhal incident.

Police Investigation

Following her complaint, the police have initiated an investigation into the matter. Ranvijay Singh, Superintendent of Police, Moradabad, confirmed that the complaint has been received and that an inquiry is underway. "The woman has alleged that her husband pronounced triple talaq after she expressed her views on the Sambhal violence. We are investigating the case," Singh said. Nida’s lawyer, Abhishek Sharma, told media outlets, "She explained that she merely supported the police's actions in defending themselves. Her husband, however, reacted violently and gave her triple talaq."

The case has highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the misuse of "triple talaq" despite the legal reforms, and it is expected to prompt further discussion on the enforcement of the law protecting women from such practices.