BJP government on Thursday managed to pass Triple Talaq bill amid strong protest from the opposition. The house witnessed a lot of furor during the process and heated arguments were made by the members. BJP cited the justice for Muslim women while appealing to pass the bill. However, the opposition called it a mere strategy to influence Muslim voters for 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The opposition called “Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill as “unconstitutional” and expressed the demand to refer it to select committee of parliament for further scrutiny. When the government gave reasons for empowerment and justice for Muslim women, the opposition parties staged a walkout as a mark of protest against the government for not referring it to a select committee.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad presented the amended Bill which contains provisions to send Muslim men to prison who forms part of Triple Talak practice. He also asked the opposition to weigh it “on the scales of politics” as elements such as “humanity” and “justice” are involved in it. Not only this, but the minister also rejected the opposition’s demand to send the legislation to a parliamentary panel saying most of the suggestions from MP’s were already incorporated in the amended Bill.
Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill was amended in August earlier this year to include some of the demands of the opposition to protect the misuse of this law. In the amendment, it was cleared that the complaints can only be filed by the victim (wife) or her blood relations, and bail can be granted by the magistrate to the accused by conforming to some terms and conditions. Also, Prasad said, the Bill has made the offense compoundable which gives a facility to end the case between a husband and a wife after reaching a compromise.
After the adjournment of the house at 2 pm, various ministers of oppositions slammed the government for using this Bill to attract vote bank. AIMIM’s leader questioned the reason to the government behind the passing of this Bill when it opposed Homosexuality bill and entry of women into Sabarimala temple. When the Sabarimala judgment was delivered (by Supreme Court), then you speak about faith. Don’t Muslims have their faith? Your faith is faith, but my faith is not faith? Is this not a violation of culture? Is this not a violation of Article 29 of Constitution (cultural and educational rights, protection of interests of minorities)? The intention of the government is not clean,” Owaisi said.
Well, the bill would face a difficulty to get passed in Rajya Sabha and the government would face a high voltage protest in Rajya Sabha to pass the bill. This matter has reached an interesting point as it would most likely affect the dynamics of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. More updates about this bill will be made available soon. You can give your review by commenting below on this matter.
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