#TripleTalaqBill: Rajya Sabha passes Bill to ban instant 'Triple Talaq'
The Rajya Sabha has passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019, which is popularly referred to as the Triple Talaq Bill, on Tuesday. The Bill, which seeks to ban the practice of instant Triple Talaq in Islam, was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha on July 25. It was tabled by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Here's more.
Triple Talaq Bill passed in Rajya Sabha
99 voted in favor of the Bill, 84 against it
The Triple Talaq Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha after intense debate. While 99 members of the House voted in favor of its passage, 84 voted against the Bill. The Bill, which makes instant Triple Talaq a criminal offense, provides for three-year imprisonment of Muslim men who give instant divorce by uttering "talaq" thrice and for remuneration from them to their wives.
Today is a historic day: Union Law Minister Prasad
"Today is a historic day," Prasad said after the Triple Talaq Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha. "Both the Houses have given justice to the Muslim women. This is the beginning of a transforming India," said the Union Minister for Law & Justice.
Here's what the Union Law Minister said
Bill considered in Rajya Sabha for third time
Notably, this is the third time that the Bill was considered in the Rajya Sabha. Though it was passed by the 16th Lok Sabha, during the first term of PM Narendra Modi's government, the Bill was not cleared by the Upper House last time.
Proposal to refer Bill to Select Committee rejected earlier
Notably, the Rajya Sabha had earlier rejected the Opposition's motion to refer the contentious Triple Talaq Bill to the Select Committee by 16 votes. Though the Opposition parties demanded a review by the Select Committee, the proposal was rejected with 84 "Ayes" and 100 "Noes". The Bill was taken up for consideration and passage in the Upper House on Tuesday.
The Bill will replace an Ordinance promulgated in February
The Triple Talaq Bill, after receiving President Ram Nath Kovind's approval, will replace an Ordinance promulgated in February. The voting on the Bill was done through voting slips and it was passed after MPs from NDA allies -Janata Dal (United) and AIADMK- as well as BSP walked out of the House. Meanwhile, MPs from TRS and TDP were absent in the Rajya Sabha.
