Parliament passes Triple Talaq Bill

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

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 protection of victim women and their maintenance.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have lauded the passing of the bill.