ONI Bureau: The Muslim women across India erupted into joy and celebrations, as Lok Sabha passed the historic ‘Triple Talaq Bill’, which bans instant triple talaq, making it a cognizable offence punishable under law.
The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, which was introduced by the Modi Government in Lok Sabha today, was passed by a voice vote despite strong opposition from AIADMK, TMC, BJD, RJD, Samajwadi Party, CPI(M), AIMIM etc. which termed the bill ‘flawed’ and sought to send it to the standing committee. Congress, which initially opposed the bill, reluctantly supported it at a later stage.
Under the new law, instant triple talaq in any form – spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp – would be illegal and void. The bill once becomes law, would be applicable to the entire country except Jammu and Kashmir.
The violators would attract a jail term of three years and a fine. It would be a non-bailable offence. The Congress and opposition parties rejected these clauses saying they could be misused in future. They also questioned how the women would get maintenance if their husbands go to jail. The Congress sought a corpus fund to deal with such situation.
The Bill would now be tabled in Rajya Sabha where the government may find it difficult to pass it unless some of its friendly parties change their stand.