The Supreme Court said on Tuesday that triple talaq the Muslim practice that allows men to instantly divorce their wives is unconstitutional.

The bench comprised of five judges of different religions deliberated for three months before issuing its order.

In a 3-2 verdict, the top court said instant triple talaq under which women have been divorced in one go even over email, WhatsApp and letters -- was against Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to equality. It cannot be considered as integral part of personal law and cannot have constitutional protection. It is against Quran and violates the Shariat”.

It is to be noted that more than 20 Muslim countries, including neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh, have banned the practice.

The judgement came two years after Shayara Bano, a Muslim woman from Uttarakhand, approached the apex court after her husband of 15 years sent her a letter the word ‘talaq’ written thrice before leaving her. The court later tagged the petitions of four other women, with similar cases, with Bano’s petition.

“I welcome and support the judgment. This is a historic day for Muslim women,” Bano said after the verdict.