Triple Talaq Bill Passed in Rajya Sabha 99-84; House Defeats Motion to Send Legislation to Select Committee
Several members of the Opposition parties, who had earlier marked their disapproval of the current version of the law against triple talaq, decided not to participate in the voting. Apart from the fence-sitters, the Janata Dal (United) - an ally of the ruling BJP - also decided to not to participate in the vote. Their absence tilted the numbers in favour of the Centre.
New Delhi, July 30: Tabled for the third time in the Rajya Sabha over the last 18 months, the law to criminalise the practice of instant triple talaq was finally passed by the House. Out of the 183 lawmakers who participated in the voting, 99 voted "ayes", whereas, 84 MP voted against the the Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019.
Ahead of the voting, the numbers edge was tilted towards the government as the proposal moved from the Opposition benches to refer the draft of Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 to the Select Committee was defeated. While 100 lawmakers voted against the proposal, only 84 voted in favour of it. Triple Talaq Bill Passed in Lok Sabha After Heated Debate With 303 Votes in Favour, 82 Against
Several members of the Opposition parties, who had earlier marked their disapproval of the current version of the law against triple talaq, decided not to participate in the voting.
Apart from the fence-sitters, the Janata Dal (United) - an ally of the ruling BJP - also decided to not to participate in the vote. Their absence tilted the numbers in favour of the Centre.
Update by ANI:
Among parties which absconded from the voting, the maximum lawmakers were from the AIADMK (12), followed by the JDU (6), TRS (6), TDP (2) and YSRCP (2).
The Bill will now be sent to the President for his assent. On being approved as a law, it would mandate a jail term for three years for any Muslim man who divorces his wife through instant triple talaq.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, opposed the legislation claiming that its real intent is to destroy the Muslim households.
"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," Azad said.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2019 06:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).