The Indian government has approved a measure to help enforce a top court decision on a centuries old Muslim custom.

The approval came after the government failed to get Parliament to act on the decision.

A year ago, the high court ruled against the custom of triple “talaq.”

The court found that it was unlawful for Muslim men to end a marriage by simply saying a single word three times.

It ruled this violated the constitutional rights of Muslim women.

Many of India's 170 million Muslims follow the Muslim Personal Law for family disputes.

The laws include giving men permission to end their marriages by saying the Arabic word for divorce - “talaq” - three times.

The word can be said anytime and anywhere, even as part of a telephone call or text message.

The government will have another six months to get parliament's approval for the new ordinance to become law.

For now, Indian officials can use the measure to take legal action against suspects.