Government to move Triple Talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha today: Report

The Narendra Modi government is likely to move the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill (Triple Talaq Bill), 2019 in Rajya Sabha, on Tuesday. On Thursday, the Lok Sabha passed the bill to ban triple talaq, with the government asserting that the law was required as hundreds of cases of instant divorce have come to the fore despite Supreme Court striking down the practice.

The BJP has issued a three-line whip to its Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs to be present in both houses on Tuesday and support the bills introduced by the government, according news agency ANI.

Replying to the debate on the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the law was also required to prescribe punishment for those violating it.

A move by the Opposition to stall the bill at the time of its consideration was rejected by a division vote of 303 for and 82 against.

Several amendments moved by the Opposition were defeated. The clause in the bill which criminalises the practice with a jail term of upto three years for the husband was passed by a division of 302 in favour and 78 against.

The bill was passed by voice vote amidst walkout by Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, DMK among others. The bill was passed by the 16th Lok Sabha but could not pass the Rajya Sabha hurdle.

Now the bill will face scrutiny of Rajya Sabha again. Responding to questions raised by members, Prasad said 574 cases of triple talaq were reported since January 2017 and 101 after the issuance of an Ordinance in this regard.

The minister said despite the August 2017 judgement of the apex court, cases of instant divorce are being reported.

He said this was the main reason behind the proposed law. He also questioned the opposition to jail term for the husband who gives instant triple talaq.