LS passes Triple Talaq Bill amid protests
New Delhi: LokSabha Thursday passed the bill which criminalises the practice of instant triple talaq with the government rejecting the contention that it was aimed at targeting a particular community.
The opposition, which had been demanding that the bill be referred to a ‘joint select committee’, staged a walkout when its demand was rejected by the government.
Just before the bill was to be passed by a voice vote, the opposition sought a division and the bill was passed by 245 votes in favour and 11 against it.
Congress, TMC, AIADMK and RJD staged walkout soon after Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad concluded his reply.
Several amendments moved by opposition were negated by a division that was insisted by opposition members.
The Triple Talaq” bill has been passed by the LokSabha. The government considered a law on it after the Supreme Court said in August last year that the traditional method of Muslim men instantly divorcing their wives by uttering “Talaq” thrice was “unconstitutional” and “arbitrary”.
Opposition parties, led by the Congress, are against criminalizing the act, arguing that it does not applies only to Islam and not to any other religion. “We agree that the bill is for women, but we have our objections to this bill. We do not agree in making instant triple talaq a criminal act. This government has made repeated attempts to misuse the Supreme Court’s judgement,” Congress’ SushmitaDey said.
During the debate,Union minister SmritiIrani said if a contract is being cancelled, it cannot be done unilaterally. And if it is cancelled, there are repercussions.
The proposed law suggests a three-year jail term for erring husbands. The revised bill was drafted after the first draft got stalled in RajyaSabha in January and the opposition members suggested changes.
Meanwhile, the passage of the triple talaq bill drew mixed reaction from Muslim bodies Thursday, with some terming it “very dangerous”, while others welcoming it.
S Q R Ilayas, member of working committee of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), said there was no need for this bill and it has been brought keeping in mind the upcoming LokSabha elections.
“It is a very dangerous bill that will make a civil issue a criminal offence. Who will take care of the wives and children once the husband goes to jail,” he said.
He also said that instead of gender justice, the bill would prove to be a “punishment” for men and women from the community.
“Four crore women signed a petition saying they do not want the bill then who are these Muslim women who want it,” he questioned the government.
MaulanaMahmoodDaryabadi, General Secretary of the All India Ulema Council, said when the government has scrapped triple talaq, why is it even being discussed here.
“The government should be focussing on fund for Muslim women and children who will be left without any source of income once their husband goes to jail,” he said.
ZakiaSoman, member of the Bhartiya Muslim MahilaAndolan, welcomed the bill and further demanded the Muslim Marriage Act on lines of the Hindu Marriage Act that would deal with other issues like polygamy and child guardianship.
The LokSabha Thursday passed the bill which criminalises the practice of instant triple talaq, with the government rejecting the contention that it was aimed at targeting a particular community.
The opposition, which had been demanding that the bill be referred to a ‘joint select committee’, staged a walkout when its demand was rejected by the government.
Just before the bill was to be passed by a voice vote, the opposition sought a division and the bill was passed by 245 votes in favour and 11 against it.
Several amendments moved by opposition were negated by a division that was insisted by opposition members. (PTI)
Press Trust of India
