New Delhi, December 27: The Lok Sabha on Thursday witnessed a heated discussion on the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018, commonly known as the Triple Talaq Bill. While the government reiterated the fresh Bill, which makes the practice of triple talaq among Muslims a penal offence, is about gender equality, the opposition wanted the proposed legislation be sent to the select committee for detailed deliberations.

Moving the Bill for passage, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Bill was not against any community, religion or belief, rather it would ensure justice to women. Pointing out that 20 Islamic countries had banned triple talaq, Prasad asked why a secular nation like India could not have this. Triple Talaq Bill: Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan Appeals Govt to Pass Law Through 'Consensus'.

"I request that this should not be looked through the prism of politics. This house made provisions for hanging the rapists. The same House passed bills against dowry and domestic violence to protect the rights of women. So, why can't we speak in one voice on this Bill," he said, urging the House to pass the Bill unanimously.

The Opposition members, however, protested against moving the Bill and demanded that it be referred to the select committee. "It's an important Bill and needs a detailed study. It is also a constitutional matter. It is also related to a specific religion. I request this Bill must be referred to the select committee," Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said. Triple Talaq Misery: Muslim Woman Given Divorce on Phone failing to Give Dowry.

His demand was supported by TMC's Sudip Bandopadhyay, AIADMK's P Venugopal, AIMIM's Asaddudin Owaisi, NCP's Supriya Sule, RSP's NK Premchandra and AAP's Bhagwant Mann. Hitting back, the law minister said: "When the Bill was brought earlier in the House, the Congress members supported and voted in its favour. That time they did not demand the Bill to be sent to select committee."

As per the directions of the Supreme Court, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government tabled the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 in the Lok Sabha. It was passed in the lower house on December 28, 2017, but got stuck in the Rajya Sabha. The government then amended the Bill and issued an ordinance in September this year, incorporating the amendments.

An ordinance has a life of six months. But from the day a session begins, it has to be replaced by a bill which should be passed by Parliament within 42 days (six weeks), else it lapses. Therefore, the government tabled a fresh Bill, which will supersede the earlier Bill if it gets passed by the lower house. Under the proposed law, giving instant triple talaq will be illegal and void, and will attract a jail term of three years for the husband.

Three amendments have been made to the original triple talaq Bill. First, if the husband gives triple talaq instantaneously and breaks marriage then FIR shall only become cognizable when it is filed by the victim or blood relation or relation by marriage. Second, it has been made compoundable – if the wife and the husband desire to settle their differences then the magistrate can compound the offence on appropriate terms and conditions.

Third and finally, a magistrate can grant bail after hearing the wife.

Triple talaq, or verbal divorce, is practised by a section in the Muslim community to instantly divorce their wives by uttering ‘talaq’ three times. The Supreme Court had struck down the practice of talaq-e-biddat (instant triple talaq), terming it unconstitutional.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 27, 2018 03:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).