Bill to ban instant Triple Talaq passed in LS

NEW DELHI: The contentious bill that would criminalise instant triple talaq was passed by the Lok Sabha Thursday after a day-long heated battle that also witnessed a walkout by BJP ally Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United. The JDU, which has maintained it was against the bill, Thursday said such a law would create a "lack of trust in the society". Two other opposition parties - the Congress and the Trinamool Congress - walked out after the vote. The bill was passed by a division of 302 votes in favour and 78 against.

The bill now braces for a stern Rajya Sabha test. Most of the fence-sitters who sided with the government Thursday in the Rajya Sabha over amendments to the landmark Right to Information Act have said they oppose the bill on Triple Talaq.

Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal and Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress earlier declared that they would object to the bill in the Rajya Sabha.

The new law provides for a jail term for Muslim men who can get instant divorce by uttering "Talaq" thrice, which the opposition say is unacceptable and want the bill to be referred to a select parliamentary committee for further scrutiny.

The government contends that the bill is vital for promoting gender equity. Central ministers have gone public saying it is tied to the Prime Minister's new motto of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas".

Introducing the bill, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said it was about gender justice. "Twenty Muslim countries in the world, including Pakistan and Malaysia, have banned the triple talaq. Why can't a secular India do it?" he said. "What is the problem with criminalising the practice? No one objects when Hindus and Muslims are jailed under dowry law or Domestic Violence Act," he pointed out.

The opposition parties have repeatedly questioned the government's motive in rushing the bill.