Triple Talaq Bill Passed In Lok Sabha Amid a Walkout by Opposition Parties




Asaduudin Owaisi talking in parliament on Triple Talaq Bill

The revised bill making instant Triple Talaq a punishable offence was passed in the Lok Sabha today after five-hour debate and walkouts by the Congress and the AIADMK. The bill is meant to abolish a practice among Muslim men to instantly divorce their wives by uttering “Talaq” thrice.

The opposition parties, which are against criminalising the act, want a parliamentary committee to scrutinise the bill. Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the bill should not be seen through the “prism of politics” but of humanity. He also pointed out that the Supreme Court had called instant Triple Talaq “unconstitutional” and asked the government to have a law against it.

Who said what?

“I must inform the House that the Supreme Court too called it (instant Triple Talaq) unconstitutional and requested parliament to pass a bill too. The Supreme Court has made it illegal,” said Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Even Islamic nations don’t have triple talaq in their laws, it is surprising that a secular country like India continues to adhere to it, said Meenakshi Lekhi. “Women are given instant triple talaq over the phone, via SMS or messaging services. This bill ensures an effective way of curbing the act,” she said.

“Some people said this is a civil matter, and asked why it should be seen as a crime… But people had said the same for dowry, but parliament passed a law against it,” said Union minister Smriti Irani.”If a contract is being cancelled, it cannot be done unilaterally. And if it is cancelled, there are consequences,” she added.

“If Sati And Dowry Banned, Why Not Triple Talaq”: Smriti Irani Asks House

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi today questioned the logic behind the government curbing the practice of Triple Talaq while supporting the “decriminalisation” of homosexuality. He termed it as an attack on the rights conferred upon Muslims by the constitution.

“Triple Talaq Bill violated the harm principle, besides having contradictory legal provisions. The Bill is discriminatory & arbitrary, and violates the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence on Criminal Law,”Asaduddin tweeted.

“Bill presented is against Constitution,it’s against fundamental rights. We asked for the Bill to be sent to Joint Select Committee to get justice for Muslim women.They tried to get it passed as Lok Sabha polls are approaching.” M Kharge, Opposition leader said.

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