Parliament passes Triple Talaq Bill; Prez, PM term it as a victory for gender justice

Parliament has passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 or Triple Talaq bill, with the Rajya Sabha approving it this evening.

99 members voted in favour of the bill while 84 against it. The Lok Sabha has already passed the bill.

The bill seeks to declare the practice of instant Triple Talaq as void and illegal and makes it a cognizable offence. It also provides allowance to women victims and their dependent children.

The offence is made compoundable with the permission of the Magistrate at the instance of the married Muslim woman upon whom talaq is pronounced. 

The Rajya Sabha also rejected the Opposition’s resolution referring the bill to Select Committee for further scrutiny. During the division, 100 members voted against it and 84 in favour.

Parties, including Congress, DMK, TMC, Left and  NCP voted against the bill while JD(U), AIADMK, TDP, TRS and BSP staged a walkout and did not participate in voting.

Replying to the debate on the bill, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, it has been brought to protect the rights of Muslim women and not to target any particular community. He said, the offence has been made compoundable and bailable.

He asserted that the bill is for gender justice, dignity and equality.

Mr Prasad said, among the cases related to Triple Talaq which have come to light after the Supreme Court’s judgment, 75 per cent of the victims are from poor families. He questioned the Congress as to why fingers are being raised on the intent of the bill, saying the Congress government, during its rule, made the provisions of imprisonment in Hindu Marriage Act and Dowry Prohibition Act.

Participating in the debate, Leader of the Opposition, Ghulam Nabi Azad attacked the government, accusing it of targeting the family set up among Muslims. He said the Triple Talaq Bill does not have provisions for the protection of victim women and their maintenance. He said the government is citing a minority judgment of the Supreme Court to justify the Triple Talaq Bill which is not good. He alleged that the Bill is politically motivated.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have lauded the passing of the bill banning instant triple talaq.

In a series of tweets, the President said it completes Parliament's approval of a ban on the inequitable practice of triple talaq. He said, it is a milestone in the quest for gender justice and a moment of satisfaction for the entire country.

In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed it as a victory of gender justice that will further equality in society. He said, a historic wrong done to Muslim women has been corrected and an archaic and medieval practice has been confined to the dustbin of history.

Saying India rejoices today, the Prime Minister thanked all parties and MPs who supported the passing of the bill in Parliament.

Mr Modi said, it is an occasion to salute the remarkable courage of those Muslim women who have suffered great wrongs due to the practice of triple talaq. He said, the abolition of the practice will contribute to women's empowerment and give women the dignity they deserve in society.

Home Minister Amit Shah said the legislation will free Muslim women from the curse of the regressive practice.

In a series of tweets, Mr Shah described the passing of the bill by Parliament as a great day for India's democracy. He congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fulfilling his commitment and ensuring a law to ban triple talaq.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, in a tweet, said it is a historic day as the bill which was being resisted in Rajya Sabha for long has finally been passed, ensuring justice for Muslim women. He said, there was an impression that the Upper House will block the bill but that myth has collapsed today.

In a tweet, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, it is a glorious day for the constitution, democracy and parliamentary history of the country.

Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said the passage of the bill is a victory for millions of Muslim women.

Thank you so much for going through my topics.