#TripleTalaqBill: Lok Sabha passes Bill to ban instant 'Triple Talaq'
The Lok Sabha has passed the Triple Talaq Bill amid protests from the Opposition on Thursday. The Bill seeks to ban the practice of instant "Triple Talaq" among Muslims. While 303 Members of Parliament voted in favor of passing the Bill, 82 voted against it. The Bill was tabled by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad earlier on Thursday. Here's more.
Congress, TMC, JDU MPs walk out after voice vote
After the Triple Talaq Bill was passed by voice vote, MPs from opposition parties, including the Congress and the Trinamool Congress, and BJP ally and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's party, Janata Dal (United), walked out of the Lok Sabha in protest.
Bill taken up in Lok Sabha amid Opposition from parties
The controversial Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019, which seeks to ban instant Triple Talaq practiced in Islam, was taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha amid Opposition from the Congress and many other parties. The Bill provides for three-year imprisonment of Muslim men who give instant divorce by uttering "talaq" thrice and for remuneration from them to their wives.
Bill needs Rajya Sabha's approval to become a law
Prasad said that the Triple Talaq Bill was necessary for the security of Muslim women and gender equality in the country. Though the Bill has been cleared by the Lok Sabha, it will now need the approval of the Rajya Sabha to become a law.
This Bill is for gender justice: Law Minister Prasad
"Till now, 21 Muslim countries implemented such law (to ban instant Triple Talaq), then why India cannot do that?" asked Prasad, after introducing the Bill in the Lok Sabha. "This Bill is for gender justice, which has nothing to do with religion and caste. This is for the pride and justice of daughters of this country," the Union Law Minister said.
Will not support Triple Talaq Bill: JDU MPs
Congress and its UPA allies earlier said they would oppose the Triple Talaq Bill in the Lok Sabha. Also, two MPs from BJP's partner Janata Dal (United) had said that their party will not support the Bill. Meanwhile, several other parties, including Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal and Andhra Pradesh's YSR Congress, would reportedly oppose the Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Criminality Clause of the Bill may be misused: Congress MP
Earlier on Thursday, Congress MP K Suresh said, "As far as Triple Talaq Bill is concerned, Criminality Clause may be misused by the police and the government. So, we'll strongly oppose the Criminality Clause. If the government sticks to that, we'll ask for division."
'Purpose of the Bill is to penalize Muslim men'
Contesting the Bill, Opposition MP NK Premachandran of Revolutionary Socialist Party said, "The purpose of the Bill is to penalize Muslim men." During debate, he questioned how Muslim men would provide remuneration for women if they are imprisoned for three years. "Why are you not enforcing imprisonment for divorce in the Hindu and Christian communities? This is discrimination against the Muslim community," he said.
