Thiruvananthapuram: National Commission for Women (NCW) has asked Keralam govt to withdraw the pause on the proposed study on the socio-legal impact of triple talaq among Muslim women in Malappuram. It sought chief secretary’s personal intervention to let the fieldwork proceed and file an action taken report within seven days.NCW member secretary Sudeep Jain’s letter to chief secretary Bishwanath Sinha on Sept 15 referred to the “reported decision” of the state govt to put the fieldwork on hold, despite state authorities having earlier agreed to facilitate it. NCW’s direct request to govt to withdraw the pause on the study marks a fresh turn in the issue.Jain pointed out that NCW had sought Malappuram district collector’s cooperation on July 1 and women and child development (WCD) department’s on July 20. “No legal, administrative or methodological objection was communicated, and the department had conveyed its willingness to assist,” the letter said.The study, commissioned under Section 10 of National Commission for Women Act, 1990, covers selected districts in Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Keralam. It seeks to assess the lived experiences of women affected by triple talaq, the socio-legal impact of the law and the adequacy of support mechanisms.Keralam’s participation is important not only for understanding conditions within the state but also for ensuring that the study presents a balanced national picture and produces lessons relevant to policy and implementation across the country, NCW said.“This independent academic study safeguards confidentiality and informed participation. It neither seeks the state govt’s endorsement nor interferes with its administration,” the letter said.NCW said excluding one of the selected states would weaken the national evidence base and the study’s comparability.“If any specific concern exists, it may kindly be conveyed to the commission in writing with reasons,” said the letter.The development follows state WCD directorate’s earlier communication to Malappuram district administration that necessary assistance could be extended to the research team. Govt subsequently decided to keep the matter in abeyance.A senior official of minority welfare department said govt was examining the matter. “Since it involves field-level data collection among a particular section of the population in a specific district, govt would like to consider all relevant aspects before taking a final decision,” the official said.Govt’s decision to keep the study in abeyance assumes significance as Malappuram is the only district in Keralam specifically identified for primary data collection under the multi-state study. NCW’s letter says the project covers selected districts in six states, while the Keralam component involves data collection from affected Muslim women in Malappuram.
