Lok Sabha passes 'triple talaq bill' without any amendments

New Delhi: The triple talaq bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day on Thursday, received green signal from the Lower House of the Parliament without any amendments on the same day itself.

The bill, criminalising triple talaq (the divorce practise by Muslims), was introduced in the Lok Sabha amid protests from the opposition objecting to its introduction.

Now, the bill will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha to finally come into effect.

The government rejected an overwhelming demand from the Opposition to refer the legislation to a Parliamentary standing committee for detailed consideration.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 was passed by a voice vote after rejecting a resolution moved by Revolutionary Socialist Party member N.K. Premachandran that the legislation be circulated for public opinion.

Various amendments moved by opposition members, including Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) and Premachandran, were negatived in divisions.

The government's determination to get the Bill passed could be gauged from the fact that it was introduced in the morning and taken up for consideration in the afternoon by suspending relevant rules and then passed in the evening by sitting late beyond the scheduled close of the House.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, however, had assured that 'it was not about religion but about justice and respect for women'.

Members from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Biju Janata Dal and some other parties spoke against the introduction of The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017.

Also Read: ‘Triple talaq bill’ will be injustice to Muslim women, says Owaisi

Congress party parliamentarians were not allowed to speak, as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said that they had not given a notice in advance to speak on the issue.

Speaking outside Parliament, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala later said the party supported the Bill, adding that there was a need to strengthen the law.

"The party supports the law of banning instant triple talaq and we believe that there is a dire need to strengthen this law. We have certain suggestions to solidify this law in order to protect the rights of these women," he said.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha last week, Prasad had said that there have been 66 cases of triple talaq in the country since August when the Supreme Court judgment termed the practice as 'unconstitutional'.

Also Read: Congress supports triple talaq bill; seeks strengthening measures

Prasad called it a historic day and stated that the Bill was to ensure gender justice for Muslim women.

The Bill was introduced after a voice vote as all treasury benches members supported the introduction.

The Bill criminalises triple talaq, or oral divorce, and has provision for a maximum three year jail term and fine for practicing this form of divorce. It also gives Muslim women the right to seek maintenance and the right to a child's custody.