Triple Talaq Bill passed in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Triple Talaq makes the practice a criminal offence with a provision of three-year jail term for the erring husband, amid a walkout by some Opposition parties.

The Bill will replace the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Ordinance-2018. Replying to a debate on the Bill, Minister for Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad said, the Bill has not been brought to target any religion but to give justice to women.

245 members voted in favor while 11 voted against the bill.

The bill makes the offence of instant Triple Talaq compoundable, which means that the case can be withdrawn if the man and his estranged wife reach a compromise, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said while piloting the legislation.

The government brought the measure after a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court termed as unconstitutional the practice that allowed Muslim men to divorce their wives by simply uttering the word 'talaq' three times in quick succession. There have been hundreds of complaints by the affected women against the practice.

Asserting that the measure was aimed at ensuring rights and justice to the women, Prasad said, "Twenty Islamic nations have banned Triple Talaq, then why can't a secular nation like India?" "The Opposition's demand for a joint select committee has possibly only one reason — Why it is criminalized? When Parliament has passed bills calling for harsh punishment for other crimes then why no one said what will happen to families of culprits," Prasad said.

However, leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge said the bill should be sent to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament for a detailed assessment. He suggested that such a committee could be asked to submit its report within 15 days. "This is a very important bill which needs detailed study. It is also a constitutional matter. I request the bill be sent to joint select committee" he said.

(Featured image : indianexpress)