India's Supreme Court to hear challenge to polygamy law
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case on whether polygamy, where Muslim men can have more than one wife, is actually constitutional.
This comes after a petition from the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) and others, who say this practice violates basic rights like equality and nondiscrimination.
Petition seeks polygamy ban and registration
Petitioners want the court to strike down the law that allows polygamy and are also pushing for all Muslim marriages to be officially registered, hoping it will protect women's rights.
The court has asked the government for its views and even suggested thinking about banning polygamy for everyone, not just Muslims, similar to how instant Triple Talaq was deemed unconstitutional in August 2017 and later made punishable by the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019.
If the court rules against polygamy, it could mean big changes ahead for marriage laws in India.