National Desk
10 July
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
In a landmark decision reaffirming the principles of secularism and gender equality, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that Muslim women have the right to seek maintenance from their husbands under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), regardless of their religious affiliation.
The ruling comes as a significant stride towards ensuring equitable rights for all married women, irrespective of their religious background. Section 125 of the CrPC entitles women to seek maintenance from their husbands if they are unable to sustain themselves financially. Previously, interpretations of personal laws had sometimes restricted Muslim women from availing themselves of this legal provision.
The Supreme Court’s verdict underscores the importance of gender justice and upholding constitutional principles of equality before the law. It marks a departure from past interpretations that had led to disparities in rights based on religious affiliations.
The decision is expected to have far-reaching implications, promoting greater social and economic empowerment for Muslim women by granting them access to legal remedies in cases of marital disputes. It reflects a progressive step towards ensuring that all women, regardless of their religious identity, are afforded equal protection under the law when seeking maintenance from their spouses.
As India continues to evolve towards greater inclusivity and gender parity, this ruling sets a precedent for upholding fundamental rights and promoting justice within diverse religious communities.