New Delhi, July 30: India is now among the 23 countries of the world with sizeable Muslim population where the practice of triple talaq or instant divorce, prevalent within Islamic circles, has been criminalised. The Upper House of India's Parliament on Tuesday passed a legislation which outlawed the practice.

The law - Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 was passed with the support of 99 lawmakers, whereas, 84 MPs of the Opposition rank voted against it. Triple Talaq Bill Passed in Rajya Sabha 99-84; House Defeats Motion to Send Legislation to Select Committee

During the course of the debate, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stressed that the law is not intended to target any particular religious community, but only aimed at empowerment of Muslim women.

Dismissing the charge of interfering in Muslim personal laws, Prasad said triple talaq is a sin according to various Islamic scholars, and added that several Muslim-dominated nations across the world have banned it.

List of Nations Where Triple Talaq is Banned:

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Pakistan

  • Bangladesh

  • Sri Lanka

  • Turkey

  • Cyprus

  • Tunisia

  • Algeria

  • Malaysia

  • Jordan

  • Egypt

  • Iran

  • Iraq

  • Brunei

  • UAE

  • Indonesia

  • Libya

  • Sudan

  • Lebanon

  • Morocco

  • Kuwait

  • Yemen

"Muslim countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia, have banned instant triple talaq. In some places, the practice is bailable and in others non-bailable. Why cannot secular India do the same," Prasad asked the Opposition benches in the Parliament.

"Don’t look at the issue through a political lens. This is an issue of justice and humanity... an issue of women’s rights and empowerment... we can’t abandon our Muslim sisters," the Law Minister further added.

His remarks, however, were countered by India's lawmaker from Hyderabad, Asaduddin Owaisi, who said the Indian Muslims are not against banning the practice of triple talaq. "But the provisions of the Bill are against the Constitution. If a Hindu divorces his wife illegally, he goes to jail for 1 year. But a Muslim will be sent for 3 years. Isn't it violative of right to equality," he questioned.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2019 07:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).