Lok Sabha passes triple talaq bill

The Lok Sabha has recently passed the triple talaq bill which will prevent the Muslim men to opt for instant divorce. This bill criminalises the practice of Muslim men giving instant divorce and seeks jail term if proven guilty. In Lok Sabha the bill was passed by a majority where 303 parliamentarians voted in favour and 82 voted against. The clause of the bill which states the jail term of upto three years if proven guilty has been passed as well with 302 MPs in favour and 78 against. After a 6 hour discussion regarding the bill, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Law and Justice said, “Twenty 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? 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”. Under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019, divorcing through instant triple talaq now will be against the law and will attract a jail term of up to three years for the husband.