Parliament has passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 or Triple Talaq bill, with the Rajya Sabha approving it this evening.

99 members voted in favour of the bill while 84 against it. The Lok Sabha has already passed the bill.

The bill seeks to declare the practice of instant Triple Talaq as void and illegal and makes it a cognizable offence. It also provides allowance to women victims and their dependent children. The offence is made compoundable with the permission of the Magistrate at the instance of the married Muslim woman upon whom talaq is pronounced.

The Rajya Sabha also rejected the Opposition’s resolution seeking to refer the bill to Select Committee for further scrutiny. During the division, 100 members voted against it and 84 in favour. Parties, including Congress, DMK, TMC, Left and  NCP voted against the bill while JD(U), AIADMK, TDP, TRS and BSP staged a walkout and did not participate in voting.

Replying to the debate on the bill, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, it has been brought to protect the rights of Muslim women and not to target any particular community. He said, the offence has been made compoundable and bailable. He asserted that the bill is for gender justice, dignity and equality.

Mr Prasad said, among the cases related to Triple Talaq which have come to light after the Supreme Court’s judgment, 75 per cent of the victims are from poor families. Mr Prasad questioned the Congress as to why fingers are being raised on the intent of the bill, saying the Congress government, during its rule, made the provisions of imprisonment in Hindu Marriage Act and Dowry Prohibition Act.

Participating in the debate, Leader of the Opposition, Ghulam Nabi Azad attacked the government, accusing it of targeting the family set up among Muslims. He said the Triple Talaq Bill does not have provisions for the protection of victim women and their maintenance.

He said the government is citing a minority judgment of the Supreme Court to justify the Triple Talaq Bill which is not good. He alleged that the Bill is politically motivated. He also reiterated his party’s demand to send the bill to a Select Committee. Mr Azad also demanded to pass Women’s Reservation Bill immediately.