Scripting history by uplifting dignity of Muslim women, Rajya Sabha passes Triple Talaq Bill

New Delhi, July 30: Clearing off all hurdles, the bill that that makes instant triple talaq a criminal offence and a provision of three years jail for the guilty gets an approving nod from Rajya Sabha. In an historic victory for the Modi government and with a landmark voting, the bill was passed with 99 votes in favour and 84 against. The bill now awaits President’s assent to become a law.

 

The Triple Talaq bill was tabled in the upper house of the Parliament by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 aims to ban and criminalise the practice of divorce among Muslims by simply stating Talaq three times.

 

Tabling the triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that this is a matter of gender justice, dignity and equality. Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the proposed legislation should be not seen through a political prism or vote bank politics, as it aims at ensuring gender dignity, justice and equality. He later attacked the Congress over its opposition on the Bill and said that he's a “Modi minister and not Rajiv Gandhi's leader, who'll leave Muslim women on the roads.”

 

Continuing further he said that this issue should not be seen through a political prism or vote bank politics. This is a question of humanity. This is for ensuring justice to women, dignity and empowerment to women and to ensure gender dignity and equality. He said more than 20 Islamic countries have regulated triple talaq in various forms. India is a secular country, but unfortunately for one reason or the other it could not happen.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also said, “In 1986 you rose to 400, Shah Bano's case happened in 1986 and you never received a majority after that. I am giving you a food for thought.” Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad addressing to Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “You spoke a lot today. You won 400 seats in 1986. There have been 9 Lok Sabha elections after that, you did not get majority in any of them. Think why did that happen?" He added that Congress have 44 MPs in 2014, and now the Congress have 52.

Parliament approved the bill that makes instant triple talaq a criminal offence, after the contentious legislation was passed by Rajya Sabha following non-aligned BJD extending support and NDA constituents JD-U and AIADMK walking out. The BSP and AIADMK staged a walkout and some TDP and TRS members decided not to vote with the opposition on the Bill. Top NCP leaders Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel were also not present in the House during the vote.