Triple talaq petitioner attends Hanuman Chalisa event; gets death threats
Kolkata BJP leader Ishrat Jahan, who was a prominent petitioner in the triple talaq case in the Supreme Court, was allegedly threatened and verbally abused for attending a Hanuman Chalisa recital in AC market, Howrah, on Tuesday. According to reports, Jahan (35), a mother of two, said she received death threats and has now sought police protection. Here are more details.
In a police complaint filed with the Golabari police station in Howrah on Tuesday, Jahan stated, when she returned from the Hanuman Chalisa recital, she was accosted by people of her community. Speaking to ANI, she said, "A group of people gathered outside my house had asked me why I went to attend a Hanuman Chalisa Path event wearing hijab."
Jahan said her brother-in-law and landlord have threatened her to leave her home or she will be removed forcefully. She told ANI, "I am receiving death threats. I demand protection. I live alone with my son, anything can happen to me anytime."
"We're living in a secular country and it's our democratic right to participate in any holy festival," she said. She added, "I did my duty as a citizen of my country. I'm a secular person. However, I'm facing life threats from my family members due to the same." Meanwhile, Howrah ACP North Pratiksha Jarkaria said they have received the complaint. An investigation is underway.
To note, Jahan was divorced by her husband over the phone from Dubai by uttering 'talaq' thrice in 2014. They were married for 15 years and have a daughter and a son. With the help of an NGO, Jahan approached the SC and was among the five petitioners in the case against triple talaq. In 2017, the apex court deemed instant triple talaq unconstitutional.
