Inspired by the Indian movie, “Haq“.
Blog Post Written By Nazia Tabasum
Haq– It means truth, right, or what is just and due. But what if rights are denied, especially to women, in the name of culture? This is what is portrayed in a recently released Bollywood movie, ‘Haq.’
Inspired by the real story of Shah Bano, this movie speaks volumes about how a woman claimed her rights, defying the culture and patriarchal society.
In 1985, the Shah Bano case in India was a well-known, controversial judgment given by the Supreme Court of India that dealt with the rights of Muslim women to receive maintenance after divorce.
Shah Bano, a 62-year-old Muslim woman from Madhya Pradesh, sought maintenance under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) when her husband divorced her after 43 years of their marriage.
Her husband refused, saying that under Muslim personal law, he was not responsible to provide maintenance beyond the iddat period (waiting period). However, the Supreme Court gave judgment in favor of Shah Bano, emphasizing that the Section 125 CrPC applies to all the Indian citizens, irrespective of their religion.
Although the judgment about this case was to protect women’s rights and promote gender justice, it led to a wide debate in the nation. Due to this, the government passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act in 1986, which limited the judgement’s application.
With this true incident as a courtroom drama, the movie beautifully describes the journey of a woman who fought for justice despite the male-dominated society and false traditions.
Apart from Shazia Bano’s character, without a doubt, the most powerful and favorite character for me was Shazia’s father in that movie. Not because his support for his daughter was loud, not because he fought physically, but because he stood for truth against the society and his community.
His quiet strength and the way he chose to stand for his daughter over fear, culture, and social pressure pushed Shazia Bano to fight for her right and attain victory finally.
The movie showcases the best thing a woman can have, which is another woman’s support, and how it can strengthen her to stand for truth no matter the hurdles.
It also gives a message that even without formal academic education, a woman who has in-depth knowledge and understanding of her faith can have clarity and courage.
Haq is not just about the tale of a woman who fought for justice but depicts the reality of other women in our society, who are still bound in the name of false culture and traditions.
In today’s world, women’s financial independence is often highlighted in our conversations. Although financial stability is necessary, the story of Shah Bano gently reminds us that, true independence of a woman is not just about standing alone but about standing for what is right (Haq).