Triple Talaq Bill LIVE: BJP, Congress get ready for final showdown in Rajya Sabha

The stage is set for the final showdown between the BJP and Congress as the ruling party seeks the passage of contentious Triple Talaq Bill in the Rajya Sabha today. The Bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 27, criminalises the practice of instant Talaq among a section of Muslim community. In the election year, the Narendra Modi government would like to win this battle. Last year the government, which is in minority in the Upper House, failed to get the Bill passed. The BJP has also issued whip to its members to be present in the Rajya Sabha.

In what will be a sign discomfort for the government, both the AIADMK and the DMK will oppose the Triple Talaq Bill. “AIADMK will fully oppose this bill against our Muslim brothers," senior AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India. Dravia Munnetra Kazhagam leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Kanimozhi said her party had been consistent in its position against "criminalisation" of Triple Talaq Bill. "We are opposing jail punishment for pronouncing talaq. Even the Islamic tenets does not allow instant triple talaq," she said, adding that if violation of such tenets were to happen, it should not be made a criminal offence as it was a civil issue.

"We will vote against the bill in the Rajya Sabha and it is the stand of the DMK that it (bill) be referred to a Select Committee," she told reporters.

After the Supreme Court held instant Triple Talaq as unconstitutional last year, an ordinance was promulgated by the Centre prohibiting the practice. The Lok Sabha adopted the bill on December 27 after a heated debate.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu is unlikely to be present for today’s proceedings due to the demise of his mother-in-law and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh is likely to conduct the proceedings instead. The Congress has said it will not allow the passage of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018, in its present form and it along with other parties are keen that the proposed legislation be sent to a select committee for further scrutiny.

Here are the latest updates from the Upper House