AGENCIES
The Rajya Sabha has taken up the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 for consideration and passage.
The bill seeks to declare the practice of Triple Talaq as void and illegal and make 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.
Moving the Bill, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, despite the Supreme Court’s direction against Triple Talaq, the practice is still continuing in different parts of the country.
He clarified that the Bill is not against any community and religion and it should not be seen through the lens of politics. He asserted that the bill is for gender justice, dignity and equality. Initiating the discussion on the bill, Amee Yajnik of Congress questioned the criminal provisions in the legislation.
She said that women across all religions and sections are facing problems and questioned why the NDA government is not taking into consideration the plight of all the women. She said the Apex Court has already declared the practice of Triple Talaq as illegal.
Intervening in the debate, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the Triple Talaq Bill is for the empowerment of women.
Mr. Naqvi said the NDA government is trying to restore the freedom and rights of the Muslim women by passing this legislation. He highlighted several measures including Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and the Sukanya Samriddhi scheme taken by the government for the welfare of women in the country. He also attacked the Congress for questioning the penal provision in the Bill.
Protesting against the Bill, NDA ally JD(U) staged a walkout from the Upper House. The discussion is underway.