Changing the Terms of the Discourse

Memorandum on the Right to Maintenance of Divorced Muslim Women

December, 1985

 

We consider it an important gain of our independence struggle that it led to the establishment of a secular state which contrasts with the situation obtaining in our neighbouring countries, as well as in most of the newly liberated countries of the third world. Today, however, the secular fabric of our society is under severe pressure from various quarters. In our view the stable foundation of our secular polity can be strengthened not by offering concessions to communal/sectarian groups and interests with a view to achieving shortterm political or electoral gains, but through positive and principled interventions which would preserve our secular identity. This course ...