Triple Talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha: Numbers Edge For BJP as Ally JD(U) Walks Out Ahead of Voting
Apart from the JD(U), fence-sitters YSRCP and TDP -- who have two MPs each -- along with the 12 lawmakers of AIADMK and six of the TRS have also decided to not to participate in the voting. With their exit, the strength of Rajya Sabha has been reduced to 211. The Centre, which now requires 106 votes to pass the law, has the support of 103 lawmakers.
New Delhi, July 30: Ahead of the voting on the Muslim Women (Protection of Marriage) Act, 2019, also known as the triple talaq law, numbers in the Parliament's Upper House has titled in favour of the ruling BJP. The party's dissenting ally JD(U), which has six lawmakers in the Rajya Sabha, has staged a walkout.
Apart from the JD(U), fence-sitters YSRCP and TDP -- who have two MPs each -- along with the 12 lawmakers of AIADMK and six of the TRS have also decided to not to participate in the voting. Triple Talaq Bill Passed in Lok Sabha After Heated Debate With 303 Votes in Favour, 82 Against
With their exit, the strength of Rajya Sabha has been reduced to 211. The Centre, which now requires 106 votes to pass the law, has the support of 103 lawmakers. Meanwhile, the anti-BJP bloc which has pledged to vote against the law amount to 108.
JD(U) MP KC Tyagi justified his party's decision to walk out of the House, saying that they would not endorse the triple talaq law under the current format. The Bill could end up creating a divide in the society, he said.
Meanwhile, other constituents of the NDA have backed the law, with Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut describing it as crucial for empowering the Muslim women.
During the debate in Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the legislation is aimed at destroying Muslim households, rather than empowering the women.
"This law is politically motivated, so minorities are occupied in fighting amongst themselves.Husband and wife will hire lawyers against each other, land will be sold in order to pay lawyers. By the time jail term will be over, they'll be bankrupt," he said.
"When they will come out of jail they will either commit suicide or become dacoits and thieves, that is the intention of your Bill," Azad further added.
The law criminalises the practice of instant triple talaq, and proposes a 3-year jail term for any Muslim man who divorces his wife in the outlawed manner. The legislation was cleared in the Lok Sabha with a brute majority on July 25, with 303 MPs voting in favour of it, whereas, 82 lawmakers voted against it.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2019 04:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).