Opposition parties clash as Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduces Triple Talaq Bill in Lok Sabha
Ravi Shankar Prasad
The Triple Talaq Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday amidopposition from Congress leader Shashi Tharoor andAll India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi over criminalising the offence.
The bill was put to vote and 156 members voted for introduction and 74 against it.
The voting was held through paper slips as the new Members of Parliament have not yet been allotted division number that allows them to vote using polling machine.
Speaker Om Birla then allowed Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to introduce the bill. Earlier he put up a stiff defence of the government move saying the issue was not of religion but of women.
Union Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the bill and said, ''Rights of Muslim women will be protected. It is about justice & empowerment of women.''
''People have chosen us to make laws. It is our work to make laws. Law is to give justice to the victims of Triple Talaq,'' Prasad added.
Shashi Tharoor opposed the introduction of Triple Talaq Bill and said, ''The bill does nothing to improve the status of Muslim women.''
Asaduddin Owaisi also opposed and said,''Triple Talaq bill is unconstitutional. It's a violation of Constitution's Article 14 & 15. We already have Domestic Violence Act 2005, CrPC Section 125, Muslim Women Marriage Act. If Triple Talaq Bill becomes a law it will be even greater injustice against women.''
Ravi Shankar Prasad on Congress opposing the Billsaid,''It was a matter of great distress that Congress chose to oppose the introduction of Triple Talaq Bill. Earlier they had not opposed it, last time they had walked out from Lok Sabha. But today they were siding with the likes of Mr Owaisi who were opposing it.A woman leader like Sonia Gandhi ji is the leader of Congress party, yet Congress party takes an anti-women position in the Lok Sabha, opposing even the introduction of the Bill, I must say it is not only painful but deeply regrettable.''
The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 seeks to replace an ordinance by the government in February.