<p>Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi today saying that he would be thankful if the PM followed 12th-century social reformer Basavanna&#39;s teachings rather than just remembering him.</p>

<p>&quot;PM Narendra Modi, it was good of you to have remembered me in the Parliament today. I am glad you also remembered Basavanna,&quot; Siddaramaiah tweeted.</p>

<p>&quot;Basava said &quot;those with wealth will build temples; what do I do, a poor man? Kannadigas will thank you&nbsp;sir, if you could follow Basavanna&#39;s teachings,&quot; read Siddaramaiah&#39;s tweet.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ರವರೆ<br />
It was good of you to have remembered me in the Parliament today. I am glad you also remembered Basavanna.<br />
<br />
Basava said &ldquo;those with wealth will build temples; what do I do a poor man?&rdquo;<br />
<br />
Kannadigas will thank you sir if you could follow Basavanna&rsquo;s teachings.</p>
&mdash; Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah/status/961208107324993539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi targetted the Congress earlier today in Lok Sabha. He lashed out at the Congress for claiming credit to Jawaharlal Nehru for establishing democracy in the country.</p>

<p>PM Modi delivered his motion of thanks to President today. He noted that in the 12th century, during Jagadguru Basaveshwara&#39;s time, work had begun in the country to establish democracy.</p>

<p>&quot;Kharge Ji, you come from Karnataka, at the most, you may get a place to sit here by showing devotion towards one&#39;s family after Karnataka elections, but don&#39;t insult Jagadguru? Basaveshwara,&quot; he addressed Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjuna Kharge in the parliament today.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am glad PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> is talking about corruption. I now invite him to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WalktheTalk?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WalktheTalk</a> . For a start can you<br />
1. Appoint Lok Pal<br />
2. Investigate <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JudgeLoya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JudgeLoya</a> &lsquo;s death<br />
3. Investigate the astronomical rise of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jayshah?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jayshah</a><br />
4. Appoint an untainted person as your CM candidate ?</p>
&mdash; Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah/status/960740273151250432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>While speaking at a conference in the poll-bound state, Karnataka, the state chief minister Siddaramaiah recently noted that Prime minister Narendra Modi has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-has-hurt-pride-of-kannadigas-siddaramaiah-31853">hurt the pride of Kannadigas</a>.</p>

<p>He said, &quot; PM has hurt pride of Kannadigas by uttering lies about the state&quot;.</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah has often taken to Twitter and engaged in a&nbsp;war of words with PM Modi and leaders like Uttar Pradesh&#39;s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi targetted the Congress earlier today in Lok Sabha

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi today saying that he would be thankful if the PM followed 12th-century social reformer Basavanna's teachings rather than just remembering him. "PM Narendra Modi, it was good of you to have remembered me in the Parliament today. I am glad you also remembered Basavanna," Siddaramaiah tweeted. "Basava said "those with wealth will build temples; what do I do, a poor man? Kannadigas will thank you sir, if you could follow Basavanna's teachings," read Siddaramaiah's tweet. PM @narendramodi ರವರೆ It was good of you to have remembered me in the Parliament today. I am glad you also remembered Basavanna. Basava said “those with wealth will build temples; what do I do a poor man?” Kannadigas will thank you sir if you could follow Basavanna’s teachings. — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) February 7, 2018 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi targetted the Congress earlier today in Lok Sabha. He lashed out at the Congress for claiming credit to Jawaharlal Nehru for establishing democracy in the country. PM Modi delivered his motion of thanks to President today. He noted that in the 12th century, during Jagadguru Basaveshwara's time, work had begun in the country to establish democracy. "Kharge Ji, you come from Karnataka, at the most, you may get a place to sit here by showing devotion towards one's family after Karnataka elections, but don't insult Jagadguru? Basaveshwara," he addressed Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjuna Kharge in the parliament today. I am glad PM @narendramodi is talking about corruption. I now invite him to #WalktheTalk . For a start can you 1. Appoint Lok Pal 2. Investigate #JudgeLoya ‘s death 3. Investigate the astronomical rise of #Jayshah 4. Appoint an untainted person as your CM candidate ? — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) February 6, 2018 × While speaking at a conference in the poll-bound state, Karnataka, the state chief minister Siddaramaiah recently noted that Prime minister Narendra Modi has hurt the pride of Kannadigas. He said, " PM has hurt pride of Kannadigas by uttering lies about the state". Siddaramaiah has often taken to Twitter and engaged in a war of words with PM Modi and leaders like Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Don't only recite but also follow Basavanna's teachings: Siddaramaiah to PM Modi 

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-are-sensitive-to-special-status-demands-raised-by-andhra-mps-government-32001">We are sensitive to demands of special status raised by Andhra MPs: Government</a></p>

<p>MPs of the Telegu Desam Party and YSR Congress protested in the Lok Sabha on Monday demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/1-policeman-killed-as-terrorists-fire-shots-inside-srinagar-hospital-pakistani-terrorist-flees-31962">Second</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/1-policeman-killed-as-terrorists-fire-shots-inside-srinagar-hospital-pakistani-terrorist-flees-31962"> policeman injured in Srinagar hospital attack dies</a></p>

<p>One policeman was killed and another got critically after an imprisoned Pakistani terrorist on Tuesday fired at them inside Srinagar&#39;s Shri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital before fleeing from the spot.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/supreme-courts-order-is-unconstitutional-maldives-president-yameen-31993">Maldives: Top justices arrested, President Yameen accuses judges of plotting to overthrow him</a></p>

<p>Maldives&#39; President Abdulla Yameen has called the Supreme Court&#39;s order unconstitutional. Yameen quashed the Supreme Court&#39;s directive to release nine prisoners noting that there were several obstacles to enforcing the apex court&#39;s ruling which the government was not able to communicate with the court.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-poised-to-launch-worlds-most-powerful-rocket-31995">SpaceX poised to launch &#39;world&#39;s most powerful rocket&#39;</a></p>

<p>SpaceX is poised for the first test launch Tuesday of its Falcon Heavy, which aims to become the world&#39;s most powerful rocket, capable of ferrying people to the Moon or Mars some day.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/british-court-to-decide-today-on-lifting-of-julian-assange-arrest-warrant-32000">British court to decide today on lifting of Julian Assange arrest warrant</a></p>

<p>Wikileaks founder Julian Assange may leave the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, following a British court&#39;s judgement on the final arrest warrant against him.</p>


We are sensitive to demands of special status raised by Andhra MPs: Government MPs of the Telegu Desam Party and YSR Congress protested in the Lok Sabha on Monday demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh. Second policeman injured in Srinagar hospital attack dies One policeman was killed and another got critically after an imprisoned Pakistani terrorist on Tuesday fired at them inside Srinagar's Shri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital before fleeing from the spot. Maldives: Top justices arrested, President Yameen accuses judges of plotting to overthrow him Maldives' President Abdulla Yameen has called the Supreme Court's order unconstitutional. Yameen quashed the Supreme Court's directive to release nine prisoners noting that there were several obstacles to enforcing the apex court's ruling which the government was not able to communicate with the court. SpaceX poised to launch 'world's most powerful rocket' SpaceX is poised for the first test launch Tuesday of its Falcon Heavy, which aims to become the world's most powerful rocket, capable of ferrying people to the Moon or Mars some day. British court to decide today on lifting of Julian Assange arrest warrant Wikileaks founder Julian Assange may leave the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, following a British court's judgement on the final arrest warrant against him.

WION Evening News Brief, February 6, 2018

<p>The Lok Sabha was today adjourned for the day after paying tributes to BJP member Hukum Singh, who died on Saturday.</p>

<p>Soon after the House met, three new members -- Congress members from Rajasthan Karan Singh Yadav and Raghu Sharma as well as TMC member from West Bengal Sajda Ahmed -- took oath.</p>

<p>Yadav has been elected from Alwar while Sharma and Ahmed represent Ajmer and Uluberia constituencies, respectively.</p>

<p>After the members took oath, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan made the obituary reference about Hukum Singh, who represented Kairana constituency in Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>79-year-old Singh was also the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Water Resources and member of General Purposes Committee of the Lok Sabha.</p>

<p>&quot;A literary person with deep passion for reading scriptures; poetry and classics, the spirit of which he imbibed in his disciplined life and also reflected in his insightful articles,&quot; Mahajan said while mourning the demise of Singh.</p>

<p>The House stood in silence for a brief while as a mark of respect for the departed soul before the proceedings were adjourned.</p>


Soon after the House met, three new members -- Congress members from Rajasthan Karan Singh Yadav and Raghu Sharma as well as TMC member from West Bengal Sajda Ahmed -- took oath.

The Lok Sabha was today adjourned for the day after paying tributes to BJP member Hukum Singh, who died on Saturday. Soon after the House met, three new members -- Congress members from Rajasthan Karan Singh Yadav and Raghu Sharma as well as TMC member from West Bengal Sajda Ahmed -- took oath. Yadav has been elected from Alwar while Sharma and Ahmed represent Ajmer and Uluberia constituencies, respectively. After the members took oath, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan made the obituary reference about Hukum Singh, who represented Kairana constituency in Uttar Pradesh. 79-year-old Singh was also the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Water Resources and member of General Purposes Committee of the Lok Sabha. "A literary person with deep passion for reading scriptures; poetry and classics, the spirit of which he imbibed in his disciplined life and also reflected in his insightful articles," Mahajan said while mourning the demise of Singh. The House stood in silence for a brief while as a mark of respect for the departed soul before the proceedings were adjourned.

Lok Sabha adjourned over tributes to BJP member Hukum Singh

<p>In his maiden Parliamentary address -- which also marked the beginning of the first phase of the budget session -- President Kovind talked about the possibility of simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections this year.</p>

<p>In his address, President Kovind noted that holding frequent elections burden the economy as well as other resources. He called for a &quot;sustained debate&quot; on the matter participated by all political parties and entities so that a consensus can be achieved on the same.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Time and again, the Modi-government hinted at the possibility of going in for an early Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Soon after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/economic-survey-turns-pink-asks-indians-to-confront-son-preference-31091">Economic Survey</a> was tabled in the Parliament yesterday, PM Modi held a meeting with his leaders and touched upon the idea of debating the matter to create a &#39;positive atmosphere&#39; for the proposal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The PM also batted for simultaneous elections for the simple reason that holding frequent elections meddle with the development exercises and cause a huge financial burden on the economy.</p>

<p>In an interview with WION earlier this month, PM&nbsp;Modi had noted that the assembly elections this year must happen along with the Lok Sabha elections. &quot;If the elections happen together, then the country can save a lot,&quot; PM Modi noted. He also shared that he had already shared the idea with various policymakers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Karnataka along with three northeast states of Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland are slated for assembly polls this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi&#39;s term will end in May 2019.</p>


In his address, Kovind noted that holding frequent elections burden the economy

In his maiden Parliamentary address -- which also marked the beginning of the first phase of the budget session -- President Kovind talked about the possibility of simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections this year. In his address, President Kovind noted that holding frequent elections burden the economy as well as other resources. He called for a "sustained debate" on the matter participated by all political parties and entities so that a consensus can be achieved on the same. Time and again, the Modi-government hinted at the possibility of going in for an early Lok Sabha elections. Soon after the Economic Survey was tabled in the Parliament yesterday, PM Modi held a meeting with his leaders and touched upon the idea of debating the matter to create a 'positive atmosphere' for the proposal. The PM also batted for simultaneous elections for the simple reason that holding frequent elections meddle with the development exercises and cause a huge financial burden on the economy. In an interview with WION earlier this month, PM Modi had noted that the assembly elections this year must happen along with the Lok Sabha elections. "If the elections happen together, then the country can save a lot," PM Modi noted. He also shared that he had already shared the idea with various policymakers. Karnataka along with three northeast states of Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland are slated for assembly polls this year. PM Modi's term will end in May 2019.

President Kovind's first Parliamentary address suggests early Lok Sabha polls

<p>Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, on Saturday, sent a privilege notice against Congress President Rahul Gandhi to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for further action, holding that &quot;prima facie there is an issue of privilege&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;On examination, prima facie there is an issue of privilege,&quot; Naidu said while referring the privilege notice to the Lok Sabha speaker.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Senior BJP MP Bhupendra Yadav had raised an issue of breach of privilege last month against the Congress President.</p>

<p>In his notice, Yadav had said that Gandhi twisted the spelling of Jaitley&rsquo;s surname to &#39;Jaitlie&#39;&nbsp;and it was highly derogatory.</p>

<p>&quot;Dear Mr Jaitlie - thank you for reminding India that our PM never means what he says or says what he means. #BJPLies,&quot; Rahul Gandhi had said while putting out a video of the prime minister&#39;s speech against his predecessor and Jaitley s remarks made in Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>According to reports, the Rajya Sabha chairperson&#39;s office said that the &ldquo;the breach of privilege stands on the grounds that it imputed motives to the intent, character and conduct of the Leader of the House Arun Jaitley by the way the spelling of Mr. Jaitley has been twisted (it was spelt as Jaitlie in Mr. Gandhi&rsquo;s tweets).&rdquo;</p>

<p>The BJP member said the Congress President had &quot;deliberately twisted&quot; the spelling of Jaitley&#39;s surname to &#39;Jaitlie&#39;, which was &quot;highly derogatory&quot;.</p>

<p>The Congress president, Yadav said, has deliberately misinterpreted the proceedings of Rajya Sabha in order to &quot;malign the government, which constitutes an affront to the dignity of the House&quot;.</p>

<p>He also alleged that it is a deliberate attempt at vitiating the political atmosphere of the country.</p>

<p>Sources further said that the matter was likely to be referred to the privilege committee.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(With inputs from PTI)</p>


In his notice, Yadav had said that Gandhi twisted the spelling of Jaitley?s surname to ?Jaitlie? and it was highly derogatory

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, on Saturday, sent a privilege notice against Congress President Rahul Gandhi to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for further action, holding that "prima facie there is an issue of privilege". "On examination, prima facie there is an issue of privilege," Naidu said while referring the privilege notice to the Lok Sabha speaker. Senior BJP MP Bhupendra Yadav had raised an issue of breach of privilege last month against the Congress President. In his notice, Yadav had said that Gandhi twisted the spelling of Jaitley’s surname to 'Jaitlie' and it was highly derogatory. "Dear Mr Jaitlie - thank you for reminding India that our PM never means what he says or says what he means. #BJPLies," Rahul Gandhi had said while putting out a video of the prime minister's speech against his predecessor and Jaitley s remarks made in Rajya Sabha. According to reports, the Rajya Sabha chairperson's office said that the “the breach of privilege stands on the grounds that it imputed motives to the intent, character and conduct of the Leader of the House Arun Jaitley by the way the spelling of Mr. Jaitley has been twisted (it was spelt as Jaitlie in Mr. Gandhi’s tweets).” The BJP member said the Congress President had "deliberately twisted" the spelling of Jaitley's surname to 'Jaitlie', which was "highly derogatory". The Congress president, Yadav said, has deliberately misinterpreted the proceedings of Rajya Sabha in order to "malign the government, which constitutes an affront to the dignity of the House". He also alleged that it is a deliberate attempt at vitiating the political atmosphere of the country. Sources further said that the matter was likely to be referred to the privilege committee. (With inputs from PTI)

Venkaiah Naidu sends privilege notice against Rahul Gandhi to Lok Sabha

<p>The Lok Sabha was on Friday adjourned sine die, bringing to an end the short Winter Session during which the House passed 12 bills, including the &#39;triple talaq&#39; legislation that seeks to criminalise instant divorce in the Muslim community.</p>

<p>Announcing the adjournment, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the session, which commenced on December 15, had 13 sittings spread over 61 hours and 48 minutes. The House lost about 15 hours due to disruptions and adjournments.</p>

<p>Important bills passed during the session included the central road fund (amendment) bill, the requisitioning and acquisition of immovable property bill, the national capital territory of Delhi laws (special provisions) second (amendment) bill and the goods and services tax (compensation to states) amendment bill.</p>

<p>A bill to hike the salary of high court and Supreme Court judges was also passed.</p>

<p>The Speaker said 16 bills were introduced by the government in the session.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House as she announced its adjournment after briefing members on the proceedings during the winter session.<br />
The discussion on supplementary demands for grants, second and third batch for 2017-18, lasted for more than six hours before the demands were voted and the related appropriation bills passed, she said.</p>

<p>&quot;In this session, while we lost over 14 hours and 51 minutes of time due to interruptions followed by forced adjournments, the House also sat late for 8 hours and 10 minutes to discuss various important issues,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>During the session, 280 starred questions were listed, of which 45 questions were answered orally. Written replies to the remaining starred questions along with 3220 unstarred questions were tabled, she said.</p>

<p>About 198 matters of urgent public importance were raised by the members and by sitting late in the evening, while the members also raised 226 matters under rule 377, she said.</p>

<p>Standing committees presented 41 reports to the House.</p>

<p>The Lok Sabha held a short duration discussion under rule 193 regarding natural calamities in various part of the country, with special reference to cyclone Ockhi in South India. The discussion was concluded with the reply by Home Minister, she said.</p>

<p>During the session, as many as 2255 papers were tabled by the ministers concerned, she said, adding that 98 Private Members&#39; bills on different subjects were also introduced.</p>


The Speaker said 16 bills were introduced by the government in the session.

The Lok Sabha was on Friday adjourned sine die, bringing to an end the short Winter Session during which the House passed 12 bills, including the 'triple talaq' legislation that seeks to criminalise instant divorce in the Muslim community. Announcing the adjournment, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the session, which commenced on December 15, had 13 sittings spread over 61 hours and 48 minutes. The House lost about 15 hours due to disruptions and adjournments. Important bills passed during the session included the central road fund (amendment) bill, the requisitioning and acquisition of immovable property bill, the national capital territory of Delhi laws (special provisions) second (amendment) bill and the goods and services tax (compensation to states) amendment bill. A bill to hike the salary of high court and Supreme Court judges was also passed. The Speaker said 16 bills were introduced by the government in the session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House as she announced its adjournment after briefing members on the proceedings during the winter session. The discussion on supplementary demands for grants, second and third batch for 2017-18, lasted for more than six hours before the demands were voted and the related appropriation bills passed, she said. "In this session, while we lost over 14 hours and 51 minutes of time due to interruptions followed by forced adjournments, the House also sat late for 8 hours and 10 minutes to discuss various important issues," she said. During the session, 280 starred questions were listed, of which 45 questions were answered orally. Written replies to the remaining starred questions along with 3220 unstarred questions were tabled, she said. About 198 matters of urgent public importance were raised by the members and by sitting late in the evening, while the members also raised 226 matters under rule 377, she said. Standing committees presented 41 reports to the House. The Lok Sabha held a short duration discussion under rule 193 regarding natural calamities in various part of the country, with special reference to cyclone Ockhi in South India. The discussion was concluded with the reply by Home Minister, she said. During the session, as many as 2255 papers were tabled by the ministers concerned, she said, adding that 98 Private Members' bills on different subjects were also introduced.

Lok Sabha adjourned sine die; 12 bills passed in Winter Session

<p>The Centre on Thursday tabled a demand seeking additional grants of Rs.80,000 crore for bank recapitalisation.</p>

<p>The first tranche under the funding programme was tabled in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Finance P.P. Chaudhary.</p>

<p>It was sanctioned by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.</p>

<p>The supplementary grant is being sought to meet the expenditure towards recapitalisation of public sector banks (PSBs) through the issue of government securities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Currently, the banks are reeling under non-performing assets (NPAs) which had increased from Rs 2.75 lakh in March 2015 to Rs 7.33 crore in June 2017.</p>

<p>Earlier in October, the Finance Minister Jaitley announced an unprecedented PSB recapitalisation program of Rs. 2.11 lakh crore, out of which Rs. 1.35 lakh crore will come from recap bonds, and rest from markets and budgetary support.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Jaitley also stated that there is a need to increase public investment and bold steps will be taken by the government to recapitalise banks in the country.&nbsp;</p>


The grant is being sought to meet the expenditure towards recapitalisation of banks through the issue of govt securities

The Centre on Thursday tabled a demand seeking additional grants of Rs.80,000 crore for bank recapitalisation. The first tranche under the funding programme was tabled in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Finance P.P. Chaudhary. It was sanctioned by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The supplementary grant is being sought to meet the expenditure towards recapitalisation of public sector banks (PSBs) through the issue of government securities. Currently, the banks are reeling under non-performing assets (NPAs) which had increased from Rs 2.75 lakh in March 2015 to Rs 7.33 crore in June 2017. Earlier in October, the Finance Minister Jaitley announced an unprecedented PSB recapitalisation program of Rs. 2.11 lakh crore, out of which Rs. 1.35 lakh crore will come from recap bonds, and rest from markets and budgetary support. Jaitley also stated that there is a need to increase public investment and bold steps will be taken by the government to recapitalise banks in the country.

Centre tables demand for Rs 80,000 cr grant for bank recapitalisation in Lok Sabha

<p>The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 -- or the triple talaq bill -- will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha today.</p>

<p>The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last Thursday but various opposition parties, including those friendly to the ruling BJP, have raised objections to it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The opposition parties say the bill, while supporting it in large part, should be referred to a select committee so as to be able to further understand any lacunae in it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The parties say the bill turns a civil issue into a criminal one by recommending a jail term extending up to three years for people who continue to use the practice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The practice of triple talaq, which allows a man to divorce his wife by saying the word &quot;talaq&quot; (divorce) three times,&nbsp;was recently struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP however has so far been hopeful that the bill will be passed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ishrat-jahan-triple-talaq-petitioner-joins-bjp-28214" target="_blank">Triple talaq petitioner Ishrat Jahan joins BJP, says will work in women&#39;s wing</a></p>

<p>&quot;I have complete conviction that Congress will support the Bill the same way it did in Lok Sabha, or else the minority women will not spare them,&quot; Union Minister Giriraj Singh told ANI on Monday.</p>

<p>Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar echoed the same conviction.</p>

<p>&quot;I believe all our office-bearers will talk to all parties, and all parties will understand the problem faced by our aggrieved sisters. This bill, I believe, will be passed in the Rajya Sabha,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP has issued a three-line whip to its MPs to be present in Parliament to ensure passage of the bill.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Commentators say noisy scenes are expected in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>


The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last Thursday but various opposition parties -- including those friendly to the ruling BJP -- have raised objections to it

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 -- or the triple talaq bill -- will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last Thursday but various opposition parties, including those friendly to the ruling BJP, have raised objections to it. The opposition parties say the bill, while supporting it in large part, should be referred to a select committee so as to be able to further understand any lacunae in it. The parties say the bill turns a civil issue into a criminal one by recommending a jail term extending up to three years for people who continue to use the practice. The practice of triple talaq, which allows a man to divorce his wife by saying the word "talaq" (divorce) three times, was recently struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The BJP however has so far been hopeful that the bill will be passed. Also read: Triple talaq petitioner Ishrat Jahan joins BJP, says will work in women's wing "I have complete conviction that Congress will support the Bill the same way it did in Lok Sabha, or else the minority women will not spare them," Union Minister Giriraj Singh told ANI on Monday. Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar echoed the same conviction. "I believe all our office-bearers will talk to all parties, and all parties will understand the problem faced by our aggrieved sisters. This bill, I believe, will be passed in the Rajya Sabha," he said. The BJP has issued a three-line whip to its MPs to be present in Parliament to ensure passage of the bill. Commentators say noisy scenes are expected in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Triple talaq bill to be tabled in Rajya Sabha today

<p>The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, seeking to criminalise triple talaq, will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha today.</p>

<p>The Congress, Left, and the AIADMK and DMK have supported the bill but have called for the modifications of certain provisions, claiming the bill could upset the sentiments of Muslim women.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Left parties, which have had consultations with the Congress in the past week, have asked that the bill &quot;be referred to a select committee&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP issues a three line whip for all its Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs asking them to remain present in the Parliament on Jan 2nd and 3rd for passage of several crucial bills during the period <a href="https://t.co/nXbKeUtcb5">pic.twitter.com/nXbKeUtcb5</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948015003273068544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The contentious bill had garnered a mixed response from all parties when it was introduced in the lower house but it was passed after the house rejected a string of amendments moved by various opposition members.</p>

<p>The opposition parties have expressed reservations over the inclusion of a jail term -- extending to three years -- for people who continue to use triple talaq.</p>

<p>They have said the jail term may be excessive and some Muslim organisations like&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/aimplb-says-will-request-pm-to-withhold-withdraw-triple-talaq-bill-27594">All India Muslim Personal Law Board</a>&nbsp;(AIMPLB) have said the Supreme Court ruling striking down triple talaq as unconstitutional is against Sharia law.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP however is hopeful the bill will find passage.</p>

<p>&quot;I have complete conviction that Congress will support the Bill the same way it did in Lok Sabha, or else the minority women will not spare them,&quot; Union Minister Giriraj Singh told ANI on Monday.</p>

<p>Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar echoed the same conviction.</p>

<p>&quot;I believe all our office-bearers will talk to all parties, and all parties will understand the problem faced by our aggrieved sisters. This bill, I believe, will be passed in the Rajya Sabha,&quot;</p>

<p>All eyes are on the Congress for the party&#39;s stance may decide the fate of the bill in the upper house. The Congress has also asked for the bill to be referred to a standing committee so that its clauses could be put under the microscope.&nbsp;</p>


The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha last week

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, seeking to criminalise triple talaq, will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha today. The Congress, Left, and the AIADMK and DMK have supported the bill but have called for the modifications of certain provisions, claiming the bill could upset the sentiments of Muslim women. The Left parties, which have had consultations with the Congress in the past week, have asked that the bill "be referred to a select committee". BJP issues a three line whip for all its Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs asking them to remain present in the Parliament on Jan 2nd and 3rd for passage of several crucial bills during the period pic.twitter.com/nXbKeUtcb5 — ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2018 × The contentious bill had garnered a mixed response from all parties when it was introduced in the lower house but it was passed after the house rejected a string of amendments moved by various opposition members. The opposition parties have expressed reservations over the inclusion of a jail term -- extending to three years -- for people who continue to use triple talaq. They have said the jail term may be excessive and some Muslim organisations like All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) have said the Supreme Court ruling striking down triple talaq as unconstitutional is against Sharia law. The BJP however is hopeful the bill will find passage. "I have complete conviction that Congress will support the Bill the same way it did in Lok Sabha, or else the minority women will not spare them," Union Minister Giriraj Singh told ANI on Monday. Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar echoed the same conviction. "I believe all our office-bearers will talk to all parties, and all parties will understand the problem faced by our aggrieved sisters. This bill, I believe, will be passed in the Rajya Sabha," All eyes are on the Congress for the party's stance may decide the fate of the bill in the upper house. The Congress has also asked for the bill to be referred to a standing committee so that its clauses could be put under the microscope.

<p>The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in the country have got more autonomy in their functioning with restricted government&#39;s role in their functioning and power to award degrees instead of diplomas to their graduates, according to a new law.</p>

<p>President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent to the Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017, on Sunday, and it has now become a law.</p>

<p>The new law, which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July, 2017 and by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajya-sabha-passes-bill-to-grant-more-autonomy-to-iims-27215">Rajya Sabha</a> on December 19 -- grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running, including the appointment of directors and faculty members.</p>

<p>The Indian Institute of Management Act, 2017, gives the IIMs powers to award degrees instead of postgraduate diplomas.</p>

<p>&quot;The bill offers autonomy to these institutes. Through this bill we will remove all interference of the government, bureaucracy in the functioning of the IIMs. They will themselves decide how to manage and run these premier institutes,&quot; HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar had said while initiating a discussion on Rajya Sabha last month.</p>

<p>As per the provisions of the Act, the Board of Governors of each institute shall be the principal executive body comprising up to 19 members.</p>

<p>It will consist a chairperson from amongst eminent persons distinguished in the field of industry or education or science or technology or management or public administration, to be appointed by the board; one nominee of the central government having charge of the management education or his representative and a nominee of the respective state government or representative of such nominees, within whose territorial jurisdiction the institute is located.</p>

<p>The Board of Governors will appoint the Director of each IIM, who will be the Chief Executive Officer of the institute.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


IIMs in the country has got more autonomy in their functioning with restricted government's role in their functioning and power to award degrees instead of diplomas to their graduates, according to a new law

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in the country have got more autonomy in their functioning with restricted government's role in their functioning and power to award degrees instead of diplomas to their graduates, according to a new law. President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent to the Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017, on Sunday, and it has now become a law. The new law, which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July, 2017 and by Rajya Sabha on December 19 -- grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running, including the appointment of directors and faculty members. The Indian Institute of Management Act, 2017, gives the IIMs powers to award degrees instead of postgraduate diplomas. "The bill offers autonomy to these institutes. Through this bill we will remove all interference of the government, bureaucracy in the functioning of the IIMs. They will themselves decide how to manage and run these premier institutes," HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar had said while initiating a discussion on Rajya Sabha last month. As per the provisions of the Act, the Board of Governors of each institute shall be the principal executive body comprising up to 19 members. It will consist a chairperson from amongst eminent persons distinguished in the field of industry or education or science or technology or management or public administration, to be appointed by the board; one nominee of the central government having charge of the management education or his representative and a nominee of the respective state government or representative of such nominees, within whose territorial jurisdiction the institute is located. The Board of Governors will appoint the Director of each IIM, who will be the Chief Executive Officer of the institute.

IIMs can now award degrees instead of diplomas

<p>The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a one-day strike against National Medical Commission (NMC) bill on Tuesday.</p>

<p>National Medical Commission bill&nbsp;introduced in Lok Sabha recently&nbsp;will replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body.&nbsp;The bill is aimed&nbsp;at ensuring transparency and to bring reforms in medical education sector.</p>

<p>The bill also seeks to allow practitioners of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy, to practice modern medicine once they complete a short-term &quot;bridge&quot; course.</p>

<p>On Sunday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that bill has many problematic provisions and&nbsp;urged the central government not to pass the bill in hurry and said that waiting for a few months to pass the bill won&#39;t be disastrous for the country.</p>

<p>He also demanded that it should be referred to a parliamentary standing committee.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Clause 49 of the bills also demands a joint sitting of National Medical Commission, the Central Council Indian Medicine at least once a year in order to enhance the interface between homeopathy, Indian Systems of Medicine and modern systems of medicine.</p>

<p>(With inputs from ANI)</p>


National Medical Commission bill was introduced in Lok Sabha recently, will replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a one-day strike against National Medical Commission (NMC) bill on Tuesday. National Medical Commission bill introduced in Lok Sabha recently will replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body. The bill is aimed at ensuring transparency and to bring reforms in medical education sector. The bill also seeks to allow practitioners of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy, to practice modern medicine once they complete a short-term "bridge" course. On Sunday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that bill has many problematic provisions and urged the central government not to pass the bill in hurry and said that waiting for a few months to pass the bill won't be disastrous for the country. He also demanded that it should be referred to a parliamentary standing committee. Clause 49 of the bills also demands a joint sitting of National Medical Commission, the Central Council Indian Medicine at least once a year in order to enhance the interface between homeopathy, Indian Systems of Medicine and modern systems of medicine. (With inputs from ANI)

Indian Medical Association calls for one-day strike

<p>The government must take steps on a &quot;war footing&quot; to improve air quality in Delhi and all unscientific development projects and construction works should be stopped immediately as part of initial measures, a Congress MP said on Friday.</p>

<p>Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Mullappally Ramachandran said Delhi has become one of the most polluted cities globally and the Centre must act with a sense of urgency to deal with the problem.</p>

<p>&quot;It is terrifying to see people wearing masks to protect themselves from pollution, closure of all schools... For any nation, health of its citizens must be precious. The government must act on a war-footing to deal with the situation,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The MP from Kerala demanded stopping of &quot;all unscientific development projects and construction works immediately&quot; as part of measures to improve the air quality.</p>

<p>He also said the government should also examine how to deal with stubble burning in neighbouring states which is identified as one of the reasons behind increasing levels of pollution in Delhi.</p>

<p>Last month, the city government had ordered all schools to be closed for four days after the capital was engulfed by a thick cover of smog.</p>

<p>The dangerous level of pollution had triggered massive health concerns following which local authorities had announced a series of short term measures like spraying of water from fire trucks to keep pollutants down.</p>


The MP from Kerala demanded stopping of "all unscientific development projects and construction works immediately" as part of measures to improve the air quality.

The government must take steps on a "war footing" to improve air quality in Delhi and all unscientific development projects and construction works should be stopped immediately as part of initial measures, a Congress MP said on Friday. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Mullappally Ramachandran said Delhi has become one of the most polluted cities globally and the Centre must act with a sense of urgency to deal with the problem. "It is terrifying to see people wearing masks to protect themselves from pollution, closure of all schools... For any nation, health of its citizens must be precious. The government must act on a war-footing to deal with the situation," he said. The MP from Kerala demanded stopping of "all unscientific development projects and construction works immediately" as part of measures to improve the air quality. He also said the government should also examine how to deal with stubble burning in neighbouring states which is identified as one of the reasons behind increasing levels of pollution in Delhi. Last month, the city government had ordered all schools to be closed for four days after the capital was engulfed by a thick cover of smog. The dangerous level of pollution had triggered massive health concerns following which local authorities had announced a series of short term measures like spraying of water from fire trucks to keep pollutants down.

Delhi pollution raised in Lok Sabha, Congress MP asks for Centre's intervention

<p>The government does not want Air India to become defunct like the Kingfisher Airlines, promoted by embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya, and wants it to serve the nation, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said on Thursday.</p>

<p>The government does not want anyone working in Air India to lose job, Raju said in the Lok Sabha, adding that the disinvestment process of the national carrier has been initiated.</p>

<p>&quot;Nobody wants anyone to become unemployed. We don&#39;t want Air India to go the Kingfisher (Airlines) way. We want the Air India to serve the nation, to serve the people and fly high,&quot; he said during the Question Hour.</p>

<p>The minister said a ministerial committee headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is looking into the matter of disinvestment of Air India and anyone, including MPs, are welcome to give their suggestions to this panel.</p>

<p>On June 28, the Union Cabinet had cleared disinvestment of debt-laden Air India but the final modalities, including the quantum of stake sale, would be decided by a group of ministers headed by the finance minister.</p>

<p>Surviving on taxpayers&#39; money, Air India has been in the red for long and various proposals, including government think-tank Niti Aayog&#39;s recommendation for complete privatisation, have been made.</p>

<p>The airline has a debt of more than Rs 52,000 crore and is surviving on a Rs 30,000 crore bailout package extended by the erstwhile UPA government in 2012.</p>

<p>The Kingfisher Airlines was established in 2003 by Mallya. The air carrier was suspended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation after it failed to address the regulator&#39;s concerns about its operations.</p>

<p>Kingfisher Airlines also defaulted on loans from various Indian banks amounting to Rs 9,000 crore. Mallya left the country for the UK after failing to repay the debt.&nbsp;</p>


The airline has a debt of more than Rs 52,000 crore and is surviving on a Rs 30,000 crore bailout package extended by the erstwhile UPA government in 2012.

The government does not want Air India to become defunct like the Kingfisher Airlines, promoted by embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya, and wants it to serve the nation, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said on Thursday. The government does not want anyone working in Air India to lose job, Raju said in the Lok Sabha, adding that the disinvestment process of the national carrier has been initiated. "Nobody wants anyone to become unemployed. We don't want Air India to go the Kingfisher (Airlines) way. We want the Air India to serve the nation, to serve the people and fly high," he said during the Question Hour. The minister said a ministerial committee headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is looking into the matter of disinvestment of Air India and anyone, including MPs, are welcome to give their suggestions to this panel. On June 28, the Union Cabinet had cleared disinvestment of debt-laden Air India but the final modalities, including the quantum of stake sale, would be decided by a group of ministers headed by the finance minister. Surviving on taxpayers' money, Air India has been in the red for long and various proposals, including government think-tank Niti Aayog's recommendation for complete privatisation, have been made. The airline has a debt of more than Rs 52,000 crore and is surviving on a Rs 30,000 crore bailout package extended by the erstwhile UPA government in 2012. The Kingfisher Airlines was established in 2003 by Mallya. The air carrier was suspended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation after it failed to address the regulator's concerns about its operations. Kingfisher Airlines also defaulted on loans from various Indian banks amounting to Rs 9,000 crore. Mallya left the country for the UK after failing to repay the debt.

Government doesn't want Air India to go Kingfisher Airlines way: Civil aviation minister

<p>Introducing Triple Talaq Bill in Lok Sabha, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Thursday that about 100 cases of Triple Talaq have come to light after Supreme Court&#39;s verdict.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Refuting the allegations that they were interfering in Shariat, he said that even the Islamic countries have regulated provisions of Triple Talaq.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is a historic day, victims have suffered for years and they have been rewarded for their patience. Request all MPs to help pass <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> : Shaista Ambar, All India Muslim Women&#39;s Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB) <a href="https://t.co/cnVQ9Ljqmp">pic.twitter.com/cnVQ9Ljqmp</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946300604145471488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&#39;&#39;When Islamic countries have regulated provisions of Triple Talaq then why can&#39;t we a secular nation do it? We are not interfering in Shariat,&#39;&#39; Prasad said.</p>

<p>The minister urged the lawmakers to understand the pain of Muslim women.</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;We must understand the pain of Muslim women. Today morning I read the news that a woman in Rampur was given talaq by her husband just because she woke up late,&#39;&#39; Prasad said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Mallikarjun Kharge of Congress in Lok Sabha said that bill has certain lacunae which should and can be rectified in the standing committee.</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;All of us are supporting this bill, but there are certain lacunae which should and can be rectified in the standing committee. We can sit together and sort out in a time bound manner,&#39;&#39; said Kharge.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier Congress said it will support the Bill in Parliament but said it will raise the issue of criminal provisions in the bill.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prasad thanked Kharge for supporting the Bill and said if fine whatever suggestions that the opposition gives will be incorporated in the law.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I thank Kharge ji for supporting the Govt on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> , whatever suggestions they have they should tell us here, if fine we can incorporate them in the law: Ravi Shankar Prasad,Law Minister in Lok Sabha</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946319739491565568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&#39;&#39;I thank Kharge ji for supporting the Govt on Triple Talaq Bill. Whatever suggestions they have they should tell us here if fine we can incorporate them in the law,&#39;&#39; Prasad said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


''When Islamic countries have regulated provisions of Triple Talaq then why can't we a secular nation do it? We are not interfering in Shariat,'' Prasad said.

Introducing Triple Talaq Bill in Lok Sabha, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Thursday that about 100 cases of Triple Talaq have come to light after Supreme Court's verdict. Refuting the allegations that they were interfering in Shariat, he said that even the Islamic countries have regulated provisions of Triple Talaq. This is a historic day, victims have suffered for years and they have been rewarded for their patience. Request all MPs to help pass #TripleTalaqBill : Shaista Ambar, All India Muslim Women's Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB) pic.twitter.com/cnVQ9Ljqmp — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × ''When Islamic countries have regulated provisions of Triple Talaq then why can't we a secular nation do it? We are not interfering in Shariat,'' Prasad said. The minister urged the lawmakers to understand the pain of Muslim women. ''We must understand the pain of Muslim women. Today morning I read the news that a woman in Rampur was given talaq by her husband just because she woke up late,'' Prasad said. Meanwhile, Mallikarjun Kharge of Congress in Lok Sabha said that bill has certain lacunae which should and can be rectified in the standing committee. ''All of us are supporting this bill, but there are certain lacunae which should and can be rectified in the standing committee. We can sit together and sort out in a time bound manner,'' said Kharge. Earlier Congress said it will support the Bill in Parliament but said it will raise the issue of criminal provisions in the bill. Prasad thanked Kharge for supporting the Bill and said if fine whatever suggestions that the opposition gives will be incorporated in the law. I thank Kharge ji for supporting the Govt on #TripleTalaqBill , whatever suggestions they have they should tell us here, if fine we can incorporate them in the law: Ravi Shankar Prasad,Law Minister in Lok Sabha — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × ''I thank Kharge ji for supporting the Govt on Triple Talaq Bill. Whatever suggestions they have they should tell us here if fine we can incorporate them in the law,'' Prasad said.

About 100 cases of Triple Talaq have come to light after SC verdict: Ravi Shankar Prasad

<p>A bill to make instant triple talaq illegal and void and awarding a jail term of three years for the husband was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.</p>

<p>Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, calling it a &quot;historic day&quot; amid opposition to its introduction by members of different parties, including RJD, AIMIM, BJD and All India Muslim League.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This law is for women&#39;s rights &amp; justice &amp; not regarding any prayer, ritual or religion: Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in Lok Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/feFU2W3faF">pic.twitter.com/feFU2W3faF</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946278525421600768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The law is about justice and respect for women and is not about any religion or community, he said, adding that the practice of instant triple has continued despite the Supreme Court order terming it void.</p>

<p>Parliament has to decide whether the victims of triple talaq have fundamental rights or not, he said after some opposition members claimed it violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.</p>

<p>&quot;It is a historic day. We are making history today,&quot; Prasad said.</p>

<p>The proposed law would only be applicable on instant triple talaq or &#39;talaq-e-biddat&#39; and give power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking &quot;subsistence allowance&quot; for herself and minor children.</p>

<p>The woman can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate who will take a final call on the issue.</p>

<p>Under the law, instant triple talaq in any form -- spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp -- would be bad or illegal and void.</p>

<p>According to the proposed law which would be applicable to the entire country except for Jammu and Kashmir, giving instant talaq would attract a jail term of three years and a fine. It would be a non-bailable offence.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Opposition termed the&nbsp;bill as flawed.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This bill violates fundamental rights &amp; lacks legal coherence: Asaduddin Owaisi in Lok Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/ch48CGIUvm">pic.twitter.com/ch48CGIUvm</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946275812327636992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This bill is flawed, there are many internal contradictions in the Bill :BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab in Lok Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/525aKIKrpD">pic.twitter.com/525aKIKrpD</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946277149861752832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The proposed law would give power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking subsistence allowance for herself and minor children

A bill to make instant triple talaq illegal and void and awarding a jail term of three years for the husband was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, calling it a "historic day" amid opposition to its introduction by members of different parties, including RJD, AIMIM, BJD and All India Muslim League. This law is for women's rights & justice & not regarding any prayer, ritual or religion: Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in Lok Sabha #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/feFU2W3faF — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × The law is about justice and respect for women and is not about any religion or community, he said, adding that the practice of instant triple has continued despite the Supreme Court order terming it void. Parliament has to decide whether the victims of triple talaq have fundamental rights or not, he said after some opposition members claimed it violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. "It is a historic day. We are making history today," Prasad said. The proposed law would only be applicable on instant triple talaq or 'talaq-e-biddat' and give power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking "subsistence allowance" for herself and minor children. The woman can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate who will take a final call on the issue. Under the law, instant triple talaq in any form -- spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp -- would be bad or illegal and void. According to the proposed law which would be applicable to the entire country except for Jammu and Kashmir, giving instant talaq would attract a jail term of three years and a fine. It would be a non-bailable offence. Meanwhile, the Opposition termed the bill as flawed. This bill violates fundamental rights & lacks legal coherence: Asaduddin Owaisi in Lok Sabha #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/ch48CGIUvm — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × This bill is flawed, there are many internal contradictions in the Bill :BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab in Lok Sabha #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/525aKIKrpD — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 ×

Law about justice for women, not religion, says government as it tables triple talaq bill in Lok Sabha

<p>The &quot;constitution is supreme to me, Parliament is supreme to me,&quot; Karnataka MP Ananth Kumar Hegde said Thursday in the Lok Sabha.</p>

<p>Hegde was apologising for his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/those-who-call-themselves-secular-dont-know-about-their-parentage-mp-ananth-kumar-hegde-27714" target="_blank">remarks</a> that &quot;people who call themselves secular... are like people without parentage&quot;&nbsp;and that the BJP has come to power to &quot;change the Constitution&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress&#39; Mallikarjun Kharge objected to Ananth Kumar Hegde&#39;s clarification, following which Hegde said, &#39;If anyone was hurt by my statements I tender an apology.&#39; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabha</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946253674971406336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-not-on-same-page-with-hedge-bjp-leaders-on-hedges-remarks-27859">Government doesn&#39;t agree with Hedge&#39;s remarks, ministers say in Parliament </a></p>

<p>&quot;I deeply respect the Constitution, the Parliament and Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The Constitution is supreme for me, there can be no question on it, as a citizen I can never go against it,&quot; Hegde said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Regarding the deadlock in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha due to my statement, I want to assure my friends that Constitution is supreme to me, Parliament is supreme to me,&quot;&nbsp;he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both houses of Parliament had been adjourned Wednesday over Hegde&#39;s remarks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;If a person has no belief in the Constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament,&quot; the Congress&#39;s Ghulam Nabi Azad had said in the Rajya Sabha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government had since distanced itself from Hegde&#39;s remarks. The opposition had called for him to apologise or to quit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/constitution-the-foundation-of-our-country-is-under-threat-rahul-gandhi-27928" target="_blank">Constitution, the country&#39;s foundation, is under threat: Rahul Gandhi </a></p>


'The Constitution is supreme for me, there can be no question on it, as a citizen I can never go against it,' he said

The "constitution is supreme to me, Parliament is supreme to me," Karnataka MP Ananth Kumar Hegde said Thursday in the Lok Sabha. Hegde was apologising for his remarks that "people who call themselves secular... are like people without parentage" and that the BJP has come to power to "change the Constitution". Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge objected to Ananth Kumar Hegde's clarification, following which Hegde said, 'If anyone was hurt by my statements I tender an apology.' #LokSabha — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × Also read: Government doesn't agree with Hedge's remarks, ministers say in Parliament "I deeply respect the Constitution, the Parliament and Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The Constitution is supreme for me, there can be no question on it, as a citizen I can never go against it," Hegde said. "Regarding the deadlock in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha due to my statement, I want to assure my friends that Constitution is supreme to me, Parliament is supreme to me," he added. Both houses of Parliament had been adjourned Wednesday over Hegde's remarks. "If a person has no belief in the Constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament," the Congress's Ghulam Nabi Azad had said in the Rajya Sabha. The government had since distanced itself from Hegde's remarks. The opposition had called for him to apologise or to quit. Also read: Constitution, the country's foundation, is under threat: Rahul Gandhi

Constitution is supreme: Ananth Kumar Hegde apologises in Lok Sabha

<p>The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, which criminalises <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/triple-talaq-all-you-need-to-know-19324">triple talaq</a> among Muslims, will be presented in the Lok Sabha on Thursday amid several Muslim organisations as well as opposition parties&nbsp;such as Congress, Left and BJD voicing their concerns.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Moreover, the BJP is believed to have issued a three-line whip to its MPs asking them to be present&nbsp;to ensure that the introduction is smooth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP is understood to have issued the whip so that any stiff opposition from members on the other side at the introduction stage could be blocked.</p>

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<p>The opposition parties have expressed their reservations over the given jail term for violators of the instant divorce, which may extend to three years and a fine for the accused and further envisages entitling Muslim women for maintenance.</p>

<p>It also has a provision for the divorced Muslim women to have the custody of their minor children. The offences under the purview of this bill will be cognisable and non-bailable.</p>

<p>The draft bill says, &quot;any pronouncement of talaq by a person upon his wife, by words, either spoken or written or in electronic form or in any other manner whatsoever, shall be void and illegal&quot;.</p>

<p>The government is sure to press ahead with the bill in Lok Sabha considering its strong majority even though the oppositions parties voice their apprehensions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bill will be introduced by law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. The government is all set for questions and comments and is ready to discuss the justification for proposing the law.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/triple-talaq-destroying-lives-of-muslim-women-says-indian-pm-narendra-modi-7849">&nbsp;Triple talaq destroying lives of Muslim women, says Indian PM Narendra Modi</a></p>

<p>The opposition parties have said that the jail term may be excessive and some Muslim organisations like <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/aimplb-says-will-request-pm-to-withhold-withdraw-triple-talaq-bill-27594">All India Muslim Personal Law Board</a> (AIMPLB) have held that the Supreme Court ruling striking down triple talaq as unconstitutional is against Sharia law.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;The AIMPLB urges the Central Government to not table the Bill in the Parliament,&quot; said AIMPLB&#39;s Sajjad Nomani after attending an emergency meeting organised by the Board in Lucknow.</p>

<p>The AIMPLB spokesperson further accused the Centre of not following the laid procedure in drafting the bill.</p>

<p>&quot;No procedure was followed in drafting this bill; neither was any stakeholder consulted,&quot; said Nomani.</p>

<p>AIMPLB even claimed that the Bill was against women and children, and if implemented, it would destroy many families.</p>

<p>Earlier in August, in a historic judgement, the Supreme Court had ruled that the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims is &quot;void&quot;, &quot;illegal&quot; and &quot;unconstitutional&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 will be introduced by law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, which criminalises triple talaq among Muslims, will be presented in the Lok Sabha on Thursday amid several Muslim organisations as well as opposition parties such as Congress, Left and BJD voicing their concerns. Moreover, the BJP is believed to have issued a three-line whip to its MPs asking them to be present to ensure that the introduction is smooth. The BJP is understood to have issued the whip so that any stiff opposition from members on the other side at the introduction stage could be blocked. Opposition parties have voiced reservations over the jail term -- which may extend to three years -- and fine included in the bill × The opposition parties have expressed their reservations over the given jail term for violators of the instant divorce, which may extend to three years and a fine for the accused and further envisages entitling Muslim women for maintenance. It also has a provision for the divorced Muslim women to have the custody of their minor children. The offences under the purview of this bill will be cognisable and non-bailable. The draft bill says, "any pronouncement of talaq by a person upon his wife, by words, either spoken or written or in electronic form or in any other manner whatsoever, shall be void and illegal". The government is sure to press ahead with the bill in Lok Sabha considering its strong majority even though the oppositions parties voice their apprehensions. The bill will be introduced by law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. The government is all set for questions and comments and is ready to discuss the justification for proposing the law. Also read: Triple talaq destroying lives of Muslim women, says Indian PM Narendra Modi The opposition parties have said that the jail term may be excessive and some Muslim organisations like All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) have held that the Supreme Court ruling striking down triple talaq as unconstitutional is against Sharia law. "The AIMPLB urges the Central Government to not table the Bill in the Parliament," said AIMPLB's Sajjad Nomani after attending an emergency meeting organised by the Board in Lucknow. The AIMPLB spokesperson further accused the Centre of not following the laid procedure in drafting the bill. "No procedure was followed in drafting this bill; neither was any stakeholder consulted," said Nomani. AIMPLB even claimed that the Bill was against women and children, and if implemented, it would destroy many families. Earlier in August, in a historic judgement, the Supreme Court had ruled that the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims is "void", "illegal" and "unconstitutional". (With inputs from ANI)

Government to table triple talaq bill in Lok Sabha today, BJP reportedly issues whip to MPs

<p>Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday announced to make a statement in both Houses of Parliament tomorrow on the treatment of Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s wife and mother in Pakistan.</p>

<p>Swaraj will first address the Rajya Sabha at 11 am and later the Lok Sabha at 12 noon on Thursday.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier today, Parliament witnessed protests after Opposition condemned the way Pakistani authorities&nbsp;humiliated the family of jailed Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav during their visit to&nbsp;Islamabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>From removing bangles, bindi and mangal sutra of Jadhav&#39;s wife to preventing his mother to speak in her mother tongue, Pakistani officials harassed the two before their 40 minutes meeting with him.</p>

<p>The meeting between Jadhav and his family took place on December 25 at the Pakistani foreign affairs ministry in Islamabad after repeated requests by India for family access.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Swaraj will first address the Rajya Sabha at 11 am tomorrow and later the Lok Sabha at 12 noon, media reports. ?

Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday announced to make a statement in both Houses of Parliament tomorrow on the treatment of Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother in Pakistan. Swaraj will first address the Rajya Sabha at 11 am and later the Lok Sabha at 12 noon on Thursday. Earlier today, Parliament witnessed protests after Opposition condemned the way Pakistani authorities humiliated the family of jailed Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav during their visit to Islamabad. From removing bangles, bindi and mangal sutra of Jadhav's wife to preventing his mother to speak in her mother tongue, Pakistani officials harassed the two before their 40 minutes meeting with him. The meeting between Jadhav and his family took place on December 25 at the Pakistani foreign affairs ministry in Islamabad after repeated requests by India for family access.

Sushma Swaraj to speak on Kulbhushan Jadhav's family meet in Parliament tomorrow

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The women&#39;s rights group spearheading the movement against instant triple talaq called the passage of the bill on it in the Lok Sabha as &quot;historic&quot;, while some others said it was a &quot;sad day&quot; and termed the move &quot;shocking&quot;.</p>

<p>The Lok Sabha passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill by voice vote. The bill makes instant triple talaq null and void and makes its pronouncement punishable by up to three years in jail. It will be a non- bailable, cognisable offence.</p>

<p>Bharatiya Muslima Mahila Andolan, which was one of the petitioners in the Supreme Court on the issue of talaq-e- biddat, said that Lok Sabha proceedings today indicate that Muslim women&#39;s voices have been heard across the political spectrum.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> is a historic step towards ensuring dignity for Muslim women. I thank all fellow Parliamentarians who have supported this bill, which will bring a new era of hope and respect in the lives of Muslim women: BJP President Amit Shah (File pic) <a href="https://t.co/ZCMxS59nYw">pic.twitter.com/ZCMxS59nYw</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946412004033445888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;What is historic is that the Congress party also supported it. Both the government and the key opposition party are on board. Congress acknowledged the need for a law (on instant triple talaq). It is symbolic of the fact that Muslim women&#39;s voices have now been heard across the political class -- that is a big achievement in itself,&quot; said Zakia Soman, co-founder of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan.</p>

<p>She added that the absence of a law against the practice of instant triple talaq was &quot;a huge lacuna&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is a progressive bill,all parties support it. But they were certain reservations, wanted certain amendments, that is why we insisted it should be should be referred to the Standing Committee but they were in a hurry to pass the bill: M Kharge, Congress on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/2QGw266I5O">pic.twitter.com/2QGw266I5O</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946407488282169349?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;I would say that some of our worst fears have come true. That the intention of the government was not to protect these women but to re-victimize them. This bill is patently discriminatory and unconstitutional and it should be challenged,&quot; the senior lawyer added.</p>

<p>She has also questioned the provisions for a subsistence allowance as well as custody of children in cases of triple talaq, saying these are redundant if the divorce has been invalidated.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Passing the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> in Lok Sabha is an historic step towards gender equality and social progress. Congratulations to PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji, and all parliamentarians who supported it.</p>
&mdash; Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) <a href="https://twitter.com/manoharparrikar/status/946423387806515200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sadhna Arya, representing a women&#39;s collective called Saheli, said, &quot;Earlier there were killings in the name of Love Jihad, now it will take place in the name of triple talaq. It is a sad moment.&quot;<br />
She added that she never expected the bill to be passed in a day in the Lok Sabha.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">SC banned <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaq?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaq</a> because it believed that a couple should get time for reconciliation.With this bill,offence will be now a non-bailable offence,there&#39;ll be no chance of reconciliation.I mvd an amendment over compensation for Muslim women frm govt,it was negated: S Dev, Cong <a href="https://t.co/rTt3qJJusF">pic.twitter.com/rTt3qJJusF</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946393306426044417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The president of the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB), Shaista Amber, welcomed the tabling of the bill but insisted that it should be in the light of Quran.</p>

<p>&quot;We welcome the tabling of the bill and this has given lots of hope to the women as triple talaq is an evil which has been haunting them,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Its a historic day, we are confident that it will be passed in Rajya Sabha as well: Home Minister Rajnath Singh <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/4Br0yBDpIO">pic.twitter.com/4Br0yBDpIO</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946388584302391296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Amber, however, added that any law enacted in this regard should be in the light of the Quran and the Constitution to make it acceptable to the community.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> bill not give justice to Muslim women but will lead to more injustice: Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM on Triple Talaq bill passed in Lok Sabha <a href="https://t.co/sy4URuWtMq">pic.twitter.com/sy4URuWtMq</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946388279682727936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Lok Sabha passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill by voice vote.

The women's rights group spearheading the movement against instant triple talaq called the passage of the bill on it in the Lok Sabha as "historic", while some others said it was a "sad day" and termed the move "shocking". The Lok Sabha passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill by voice vote. The bill makes instant triple talaq null and void and makes its pronouncement punishable by up to three years in jail. It will be a non- bailable, cognisable offence. Bharatiya Muslima Mahila Andolan, which was one of the petitioners in the Supreme Court on the issue of talaq-e- biddat, said that Lok Sabha proceedings today indicate that Muslim women's voices have been heard across the political spectrum. #TripleTalaqBill is a historic step towards ensuring dignity for Muslim women. I thank all fellow Parliamentarians who have supported this bill, which will bring a new era of hope and respect in the lives of Muslim women: BJP President Amit Shah (File pic) pic.twitter.com/ZCMxS59nYw — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × "What is historic is that the Congress party also supported it. Both the government and the key opposition party are on board. Congress acknowledged the need for a law (on instant triple talaq). It is symbolic of the fact that Muslim women's voices have now been heard across the political class -- that is a big achievement in itself," said Zakia Soman, co-founder of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan. She added that the absence of a law against the practice of instant triple talaq was "a huge lacuna". It is a progressive bill,all parties support it. But they were certain reservations, wanted certain amendments, that is why we insisted it should be should be referred to the Standing Committee but they were in a hurry to pass the bill: M Kharge, Congress on #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/2QGw266I5O — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × "I would say that some of our worst fears have come true. That the intention of the government was not to protect these women but to re-victimize them. This bill is patently discriminatory and unconstitutional and it should be challenged," the senior lawyer added. She has also questioned the provisions for a subsistence allowance as well as custody of children in cases of triple talaq, saying these are redundant if the divorce has been invalidated. Passing the #TripleTalaqBill in Lok Sabha is an historic step towards gender equality and social progress. Congratulations to PM @narendramodi ji, and all parliamentarians who supported it. — Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) December 28, 2017 × Sadhna Arya, representing a women's collective called Saheli, said, "Earlier there were killings in the name of Love Jihad, now it will take place in the name of triple talaq. It is a sad moment." She added that she never expected the bill to be passed in a day in the Lok Sabha. SC banned #TripleTalaq because it believed that a couple should get time for reconciliation.With this bill,offence will be now a non-bailable offence,there'll be no chance of reconciliation.I mvd an amendment over compensation for Muslim women frm govt,it was negated: S Dev, Cong pic.twitter.com/rTt3qJJusF — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × The president of the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB), Shaista Amber, welcomed the tabling of the bill but insisted that it should be in the light of Quran. "We welcome the tabling of the bill and this has given lots of hope to the women as triple talaq is an evil which has been haunting them," she said. Its a historic day, we are confident that it will be passed in Rajya Sabha as well: Home Minister Rajnath Singh #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/4Br0yBDpIO — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × Amber, however, added that any law enacted in this regard should be in the light of the Quran and the Constitution to make it acceptable to the community. #TripleTalaqBill bill not give justice to Muslim women but will lead to more injustice: Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM on Triple Talaq bill passed in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/sy4URuWtMq — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 ×

Triple talaq bill gets mixed reactions: Who said what

<p>The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) today expressed serious reservations over the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill which was passed by the Lok Sabha and said it will take steps through democratic means to &quot;amend, improve or scrap&quot; it.</p>

<p>The Shia Waqf Board, meanwhile, called for making the punishment to those indulging in &#39;triple talaq&#39; more stringent.</p>

<p>&quot;We will take whatever steps required through democratic means to amend, improve or scrap it. There is no move to go to court as of now...The bill was brought in a haste,&quot; AIMPLB spokesperson Maulana Khalil-ur-Rehman Sajjad Nomani told.</p>

<p>He said the board should have been taken into confidence on the issue.</p>

<p>&quot;Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad while tabling the bill also quoted the board and a lady MP of the ruling party tried to answer the queries raised by the Board in a letter to the prime minister proving that the government recognises the board. So the board should have been taken into confidence,&quot; Nomani said.</p>

<p>However, AIMPLB member Zafaryab Jilani hinted that the board may approach the supreme court against the triple talaq bill once it is passed by the Parliament.</p>

<p>&quot;An option is always open to challenge the law passed (by the Parliament), which is against the Supreme Court&#39;s judgement and the Indian Constitution, in the Supreme Court.</p>

<p>&quot;Convenor of our legal committee has also suggested that it can be challenged in the court. However, we will decide our future course of action once the Bill is passed and the law is enacted,&quot; Jilani told a news channel.</p>

<p>AIMPLB wanted that the triple talaq bill should not be in conflict with either the Constitution, supreme court order or Muslim personal law board, he said.</p>

<p>&quot;We had demanded that Bill should have been prepared only after consultation of representatives of Muslim women organisations, All India Muslim Personal Board, but it doesn&#39;t mean that we were against the Bill.</p>

<p>&quot;We just wanted that Bill should not be in conflict with either Constitution of India, Supreme Court Judgement or Muslim Personal Law Board,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The president of the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB), Shaista Amber welcomed the tabling of the bill but insisted that it should be in the light of Quran.</p>

<p>&quot;We welcome the tabling of the bill and this has given lots of hope to the women as triple talaq is an evil which has been haunting them,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>Amber, however, added that any law enacted in this regard should be in the light of the Quran and Constitution to make it acceptable to the community.</p>

<p>President of the Shia Waqf Board, Wasim Rizvi, however, said that he had sent a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making the punishment to those indulging in the practice more stringent.</p>

<p>&quot;I have urged the Prime Minister through a letter that a jail term of 10 years to those indulging in triple talaq and lodging a criminal case against them,&quot; Rizvi said.</p>


The Shia Waqf Board, meanwhile, called for making the punishment to those indulging in 'triple talaq' more stringent.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) today expressed serious reservations over the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill which was passed by the Lok Sabha and said it will take steps through democratic means to "amend, improve or scrap" it. The Shia Waqf Board, meanwhile, called for making the punishment to those indulging in 'triple talaq' more stringent. "We will take whatever steps required through democratic means to amend, improve or scrap it. There is no move to go to court as of now...The bill was brought in a haste," AIMPLB spokesperson Maulana Khalil-ur-Rehman Sajjad Nomani told. He said the board should have been taken into confidence on the issue. "Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad while tabling the bill also quoted the board and a lady MP of the ruling party tried to answer the queries raised by the Board in a letter to the prime minister proving that the government recognises the board. So the board should have been taken into confidence," Nomani said. However, AIMPLB member Zafaryab Jilani hinted that the board may approach the supreme court against the triple talaq bill once it is passed by the Parliament. "An option is always open to challenge the law passed (by the Parliament), which is against the Supreme Court's judgement and the Indian Constitution, in the Supreme Court. "Convenor of our legal committee has also suggested that it can be challenged in the court. However, we will decide our future course of action once the Bill is passed and the law is enacted," Jilani told a news channel. AIMPLB wanted that the triple talaq bill should not be in conflict with either the Constitution, supreme court order or Muslim personal law board, he said. "We had demanded that Bill should have been prepared only after consultation of representatives of Muslim women organisations, All India Muslim Personal Board, but it doesn't mean that we were against the Bill. "We just wanted that Bill should not be in conflict with either Constitution of India, Supreme Court Judgement or Muslim Personal Law Board," he said. The president of the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB), Shaista Amber welcomed the tabling of the bill but insisted that it should be in the light of Quran. "We welcome the tabling of the bill and this has given lots of hope to the women as triple talaq is an evil which has been haunting them," she said. Amber, however, added that any law enacted in this regard should be in the light of the Quran and Constitution to make it acceptable to the community. President of the Shia Waqf Board, Wasim Rizvi, however, said that he had sent a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making the punishment to those indulging in the practice more stringent. "I have urged the Prime Minister through a letter that a jail term of 10 years to those indulging in triple talaq and lodging a criminal case against them," Rizvi said.

Will take steps through democratic means to "amend, improve or scrap" triple talaq bill: AIMPLB

<p>After just a day-long discussion, Lok Sabha passed the bill that makes Triple Talaq a criminal offence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bill was passed by&nbsp;voice vote.</p>

<p>It was passed after the House rejected a string of amendments moved by Congress&#39;&nbsp;Sushmita Dev,&nbsp;CPIM&#39;s A Sampath, Asaduddin Owaisi and one by BJD&#39;s Bhartruhari Mahtab.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is a victory for Muslim women. They have fought for this for long. This will act as a deterrence: Noorjahan, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaq?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaq</a> victim on Triple Talaq bill passed in Lok Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a> <a href="https://t.co/IduD6ZQTGh">pic.twitter.com/IduD6ZQTGh</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946384012276260871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Despite strong opposition, the bill was passed on the same day that it was introduced as the BJP government has an absolute majority in the Lower House.</p>

<p>The bill will now be tabled in the Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>The draft bill, officially called Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, says, &quot;any pronouncement of talaq by a person upon his wife, by words, either spoken or written or in electronic form or in any other manner whatsoever, shall be void and illegal.&quot;</p>

<p>The draft bill also has a provision of imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years, and a fine, for violators.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">There should be a 10 year punishment for those who give instant <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaq?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaq</a>: Wasim Rizvi, Shia Waqf Board (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/GqGH26APLu">pic.twitter.com/GqGH26APLu</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946370743209574400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Refuting the allegations that they were interfering in Shariat, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad&nbsp;said that even the Islamic countries have regulated provisions of Triple Talaq.</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;When Islamic countries have regulated provisions of Triple Talaq then why can&#39;t we a secular nation do it? We are not interfering in Shariat,&#39;&#39; Prasad said.</p>

<p>The minister urged the lawmakers to understand the pain of Muslim women.</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;We must understand the pain of Muslim women. Today morning I read the news that a woman in Rampur was given talaq by her husband just because she woke up late,&#39;&#39; Prasad said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Earlier amendments moved by Congress's Sushmita Dev and CPIM's A Sampath negated in Lok Sabha.?

After just a day-long discussion, Lok Sabha passed the bill that makes Triple Talaq a criminal offence. The bill was passed by voice vote. It was passed after the House rejected a string of amendments moved by Congress' Sushmita Dev, CPIM's A Sampath, Asaduddin Owaisi and one by BJD's Bhartruhari Mahtab. This is a victory for Muslim women. They have fought for this for long. This will act as a deterrence: Noorjahan, #TripleTalaq victim on Triple Talaq bill passed in Lok Sabha #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/IduD6ZQTGh — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × Despite strong opposition, the bill was passed on the same day that it was introduced as the BJP government has an absolute majority in the Lower House. The bill will now be tabled in the Rajya Sabha. The draft bill, officially called Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, says, "any pronouncement of talaq by a person upon his wife, by words, either spoken or written or in electronic form or in any other manner whatsoever, shall be void and illegal." The draft bill also has a provision of imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years, and a fine, for violators. There should be a 10 year punishment for those who give instant #TripleTalaq: Wasim Rizvi, Shia Waqf Board (file pic) pic.twitter.com/GqGH26APLu — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × Refuting the allegations that they were interfering in Shariat, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that even the Islamic countries have regulated provisions of Triple Talaq. ''When Islamic countries have regulated provisions of Triple Talaq then why can't we a secular nation do it? We are not interfering in Shariat,'' Prasad said. The minister urged the lawmakers to understand the pain of Muslim women. ''We must understand the pain of Muslim women. Today morning I read the news that a woman in Rampur was given talaq by her husband just because she woke up late,'' Prasad said.

Lok Sabha passes bill that makes 'Triple Talaq' criminal offence

<p>The defence forces and other agencies involved in the rescue operation after Cyclone Ockhi battered southern India saved 845 lives, but 661 fishermen were still missing, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.</p>

<p>In a written response to a question, Sitharaman said the Navy, the Air Force and the Coast Guard saved the lives of 821 people until December 20. Another 24 lives were saved by other agencies, including merchant navy vessels.</p>

<p>Of the total 845 people rescued, 453 were from Tamil Nadu, 362 from Kerala, and 30 from the Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands.</p>

<p>The majority of those untraceable are from Tamil Nadu (400) and Kerala (261), the worst-hit States.</p>


Of the total 845 people rescued, 453 were from Tamil Nadu, 362 from Kerala, and 30 from the Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands.

The defence forces and other agencies involved in the rescue operation after Cyclone Ockhi battered southern India saved 845 lives, but 661 fishermen were still missing, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. In a written response to a question, Sitharaman said the Navy, the Air Force and the Coast Guard saved the lives of 821 people until December 20. Another 24 lives were saved by other agencies, including merchant navy vessels. Of the total 845 people rescued, 453 were from Tamil Nadu, 362 from Kerala, and 30 from the Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands. The majority of those untraceable are from Tamil Nadu (400) and Kerala (261), the worst-hit States.

661 fishermen still missing after 'Ockhi' onslaught: Nirmala Sitharaman

<p>Both houses of Parliament were adjourned Wednesday after the Opposition raised an uproar over Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde&#39;s statements on secularism and changing the constitution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/those-who-call-themselves-secular-dont-know-about-their-parentage-mp-ananth-kumar-hegde-27714" target="_blank">&#39;Those who call themselves secular don&#39;t know about their parentage,&#39; says Karnataka MP</a></p>

<p>There had been pandemonium in the Rajya Sabha after the Leader of the Opposition in the house, the Congress&#39;s Ghulam Nabi Azad, brought up the issue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;If a person has no belief in the constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament,&quot; Azad had said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress&#39; Ghulam Nabi Azad raises the issue of remarks made by Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde about the constitution, in Rajya Sabha; says &quot;if a person has no belief in the constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament&quot; <a href="https://t.co/UDaMge4yOd">pic.twitter.com/UDaMge4yOd</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/945893770981130240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress had in the morning given an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha over Hegde&#39;s remarks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress had also given a&nbsp;suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha under over PM Modi&rsquo;s remarks about former PM Manmohan Singh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-claims-pakistan-trying-to-influence-gujarat-elections-26391" target="_blank">Modi claims Pakistan trying to influence Gujarat elections</a></p>

<p>The Congress has demanded an apology from the prime minister on the floor of the house.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP has so far said there will be no apology coming.&nbsp;</p>


The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were both adjourned till 12 pm

Both houses of Parliament were adjourned Wednesday after the Opposition raised an uproar over Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde's statements on secularism and changing the constitution. Also read: 'Those who call themselves secular don't know about their parentage,' says Karnataka MP There had been pandemonium in the Rajya Sabha after the Leader of the Opposition in the house, the Congress's Ghulam Nabi Azad, brought up the issue. "If a person has no belief in the constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament," Azad had said. Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad raises the issue of remarks made by Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde about the constitution, in Rajya Sabha; says "if a person has no belief in the constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament" pic.twitter.com/UDaMge4yOd — ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2017 × Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon. The Congress had in the morning given an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha over Hegde's remarks. The Congress had also given a suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha under over PM Modi’s remarks about former PM Manmohan Singh. Also read: Modi claims Pakistan trying to influence Gujarat elections The Congress has demanded an apology from the prime minister on the floor of the house. The BJP has so far said there will be no apology coming.

Both houses of Parliament adjourned over MP's statement on secularism, changing constitution

<p>The Lok Sabha passed the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill 2017 on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The bill was introduced by Arun Jaitley in the lower house last week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The approval would allow increasing the maximum rate at which the Compensation Cess can be levied from 15 to 25 per cent&nbsp; on motor vehicles for transport of not more than 13 persons, including the driver [falling under sub-headings 870210, 8702 20, 8702 30 or 8702 90]; and motor vehicles falling under headings 8703.</p>

<p>On Wednesday another bill was passed by the Lok Sabha, providing protection to unauthorised colonies and slums from punitive action for three more years.</p>

<p>Today both the houses were adjourned after Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad stalled the house over Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde&#39;s statements on secularism and changing the constitution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


The bill was introduced by Arun Jaitley in lower house, last week

The Lok Sabha passed the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill 2017 on Wednesday. The bill was introduced by Arun Jaitley in the lower house last week. The approval would allow increasing the maximum rate at which the Compensation Cess can be levied from 15 to 25 per cent on motor vehicles for transport of not more than 13 persons, including the driver [falling under sub-headings 870210, 8702 20, 8702 30 or 8702 90]; and motor vehicles falling under headings 8703. On Wednesday another bill was passed by the Lok Sabha, providing protection to unauthorised colonies and slums from punitive action for three more years. Today both the houses were adjourned after Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad stalled the house over Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde's statements on secularism and changing the constitution. (With inputs from ANI)

Lok Sabha passes GST amendment bill

<p>Union Minister Hansraj Ahir has clarified his statement about calling doctors to &quot;join the Naxals&quot;. Ahir said he respects the doctors and the remark was an outburst in anger after a few doctors skipped an event which the minister came to attend.</p>

<p>On Monday, Ahir got upset by the absence of doctors who didn&#39;t attend an inauguration ceremony in 24x7 pharmacy store in a government hospital in Chandrapur, Maharashtra.</p>

<p>&quot;The organiser was himself absent. I have not spoken against the profession but a particular doctor. Whatever I said was the civil surgeon and no one else. I respect doctors from the bottom of my heart. I just showed my anger on absence of some doctors from the event,&quot; ANI reported Ahir as saying.</p>

<p>At the event, the minister got to know that a civil surgeon was on leave he advised him to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/union-minister-to-doctors-on-leave-join-the-naxals-well-shoot-you-27733">&quot;join the Naxals&quot;.</a></p>

<p>Ahir said that he is a minister chosen by democracy and asked why they are on leave knowing his arrival.</p>

<p>He also suggested doctors that if they don&#39;t have faith in democracy then they should join the Naxalite movement.</p>

<p>&quot;If there is no faith in democracy, then join the Naxalite movement; we will shoot you. There is no need to distribute tablets here. Naxalism does not like democracy,&quot; Ahir said.</p>

<p>Chandrapur is the Ahir&#39;s Lok Sabha constituency and the most Naxal affected area including Gadchiroli and Gondia districts.</p>


He explained anger saying that he respects doctors and his outburst was because few doctors were absent from the event

Union Minister Hansraj Ahir has clarified his statement about calling doctors to "join the Naxals". Ahir said he respects the doctors and the remark was an outburst in anger after a few doctors skipped an event which the minister came to attend. On Monday, Ahir got upset by the absence of doctors who didn't attend an inauguration ceremony in 24x7 pharmacy store in a government hospital in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. "The organiser was himself absent. I have not spoken against the profession but a particular doctor. Whatever I said was the civil surgeon and no one else. I respect doctors from the bottom of my heart. I just showed my anger on absence of some doctors from the event," ANI reported Ahir as saying. At the event, the minister got to know that a civil surgeon was on leave he advised him to "join the Naxals". Ahir said that he is a minister chosen by democracy and asked why they are on leave knowing his arrival. He also suggested doctors that if they don't have faith in democracy then they should join the Naxalite movement. "If there is no faith in democracy, then join the Naxalite movement; we will shoot you. There is no need to distribute tablets here. Naxalism does not like democracy," Ahir said. Chandrapur is the Ahir's Lok Sabha constituency and the most Naxal affected area including Gadchiroli and Gondia districts.

Not spoken against the profession: Hansraj Ahir on 'doctors should join Naxals' remark

<p>Just days after Congress was beaten in the Gujarat polls, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/promise-of-15-lakh-in-every-bank-account-demonetisation-gabbar-singh-tax-modi-modeleverything-is-lie-rahul-gandhi-27471">Rahul Gandhi arrived at Keshod airport&nbsp;to visit Gujarat&#39;s</a> Somnath temple and attend a meeting with newly-elected MLAs.</p>

<p>Congress had bagged <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-got-to-know-people-in-gujarat-do-not-approve-of-modis-model-rahul-gandhi-27158">77 seats in the recently concluded</a> Gujarat elections which was hailed as a &quot;victory&quot; by the party since it was the best showing by the Congress in decades.</p>

<p>During the polls, Rahul Gandhi had visited a number of temples in Gujarat including the Chotila temple, Khodaldham in Kagvad, Jalaram Bapa temple in Virpur and Dasi Jivan temple near Jasdan, among several others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress president had visited the Dwarkadhish Temple in September to seek blessings of Lord Krishna as he kicked off the Gujarat campaign.</p>

<p>The Congress president is also expected to meet the new MLAs as the Congress sets out his&nbsp;strategy to take on the ruling BJP in the next five years.</p>

<p>The BJP had announced yesterday that Vijay Rupani will continue as chief minister of Gujarat.</p>

<p>Ahead of his visit, Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the BJP, tweeting: &quot;If BJP had a film franchise it would be called Lie Hard.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If BJP had a film franchise it would be called Lie Hard <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BJPLieHard?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BJPLieHard</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BJPLies?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BJPLies</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HowManyBJPLies?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HowManyBJPLies</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/944395250298011648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The BJP and Congress were involved in a bitter war of words during the Gujarat polls, after the election results were announced Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP claiming its entire structure was based on lies while addressing the Congress Working Committee meeting.</p>

<p>The Congress president said &quot;If you see the Modi model in Gujarat it was a clear lie, when we went to Gujarat the people said there is no model, they said what is going on is stealing of people&#39;s resources.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


During the polls, Rahul Gandhi had visited a number of temples in Gujarat including the Chotila temple, Khodaldham in Kagvad, Jalaram Bapa temple in Virpur among others

Just days after Congress was beaten in the Gujarat polls, Rahul Gandhi arrived at Keshod airport to visit Gujarat's Somnath temple and attend a meeting with newly-elected MLAs. Congress had bagged 77 seats in the recently concluded Gujarat elections which was hailed as a "victory" by the party since it was the best showing by the Congress in decades. During the polls, Rahul Gandhi had visited a number of temples in Gujarat including the Chotila temple, Khodaldham in Kagvad, Jalaram Bapa temple in Virpur and Dasi Jivan temple near Jasdan, among several others. The Congress president had visited the Dwarkadhish Temple in September to seek blessings of Lord Krishna as he kicked off the Gujarat campaign. The Congress president is also expected to meet the new MLAs as the Congress sets out his strategy to take on the ruling BJP in the next five years. The BJP had announced yesterday that Vijay Rupani will continue as chief minister of Gujarat. Ahead of his visit, Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the BJP, tweeting: "If BJP had a film franchise it would be called Lie Hard." If BJP had a film franchise it would be called Lie Hard #BJPLieHard #BJPLies #HowManyBJPLies — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 23, 2017 × The BJP and Congress were involved in a bitter war of words during the Gujarat polls, after the election results were announced Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP claiming its entire structure was based on lies while addressing the Congress Working Committee meeting. The Congress president said "If you see the Modi model in Gujarat it was a clear lie, when we went to Gujarat the people said there is no model, they said what is going on is stealing of people's resources."

Rahul Gandhi arrives in Gujarat to visit Somnath temple; meet new MLAs

<p>Rajya Sabha&nbsp;got adjourned till&nbsp;11 am&nbsp;on&nbsp;December 27 amid the uproar by Congress demanding apology over the remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against former prime minister Manmohan Singh.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 AM on 27th December amid uproar by Congress demanding PM Modi&#39;s apology for remarks against Dr.Manmohan Singh</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/944084799999827968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress MPs also raised slogans on&nbsp;the same issue in Lok Sabha today.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Uproar in Lok Sabha,Congress MPs raise slogans demanding PM Modi&#39;s apology for remarks against Dr.Manmohan Singh</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/944083191752663040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Early on Friday morning, Congress had sent an&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-gives-adjournment-motion-notice-to-rajya-sabha-27427">adjournment motion notice</a> to Rajya Sabha under the rule 267&nbsp;of Rules of procedure and conduct of Business in the council of states, Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe also gave adjourned motion notice in Rajya Sabha under the same rule.</p>

<p>Modi while campaigning in Gujarat had said Manmohan Singh, former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, and former vice-president Hamid Ansari had met with the Pakistani high commissioner and former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and discussed the Gujarat elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Finance minister Arun Jaitley reportedly also assured the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/congress-agrees-to-have-discussion-with-the-government-over-allegations-made-against-manmohan-singh-27177">opposition that the government</a>&nbsp;was open to discussion.&nbsp;</p>


Congress MPs also raised slogans for the same issue in Lok Sabha also

Rajya Sabha got adjourned till 11 am on December 27 amid the uproar by Congress demanding apology over the remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against former prime minister Manmohan Singh. Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 AM on 27th December amid uproar by Congress demanding PM Modi's apology for remarks against Dr.Manmohan Singh — ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2017 × Congress MPs also raised slogans on the same issue in Lok Sabha today. Uproar in Lok Sabha,Congress MPs raise slogans demanding PM Modi's apology for remarks against Dr.Manmohan Singh — ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2017 × Early on Friday morning, Congress had sent an adjournment motion notice to Rajya Sabha under the rule 267 of Rules of procedure and conduct of Business in the council of states, Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe also gave adjourned motion notice in Rajya Sabha under the same rule. Modi while campaigning in Gujarat had said Manmohan Singh, former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, and former vice-president Hamid Ansari had met with the Pakistani high commissioner and former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and discussed the Gujarat elections. Finance minister Arun Jaitley reportedly also assured the opposition that the government was open to discussion.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till Tuesday amid uproar over Modi's remark on Manmohan Singh

<p>In a first, cricket legend <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/finally-sachin-tendulkar-to-initiate-debate-in-rajya-sabha-today-27337">Sachin Tendulkar was expected to lead a debate</a> in Rajya Sabha today on &quot;Right to Play and the future of sports in India&quot;.</p>

<p>Sachin&#39;s debate could not be initiated as the Rajya Sabha session was adjourned until 11 am tomorrow after sloganeering began by the opposition.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Uproar in Rajya Sabha over PM Modi&#39;s remarks on Manmohan Singh during Gujarat election campaign, as MP Sachin Tendulkar gets up to speak. <a href="https://t.co/qbMh0qZ8yp">pic.twitter.com/qbMh0qZ8yp</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943763327330553856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Sachin Tendulkar was nominated to Rajya Sabha in the year 2012. He started off as an independent candidate with Congress&#39; support.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">He (<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SachinTendulkar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SachinTendulkar</a>) has earned name for India at the world stage, it is a matter of shame that he was not allowed to speak even when everyone knew it was on today&#39;s agenda. Are only politicians allowed to speak?: Jaya Bachchan, Rajya Sabha MP <a href="https://t.co/NMRMHhdl5E">pic.twitter.com/NMRMHhdl5E</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943772810165460992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The opposition created an uproar over <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-claims-pakistan-trying-to-influence-gujarat-elections-26391">PM Modi&#39;s remarks</a> on Manmohan Singh made during Gujarat election campaign.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There was an outcry at the parliament on Wednesday as well over PM Modi&#39;s remark.</p>

<p>Reportedly, PM Modi had made a statement previously stating&nbsp;that Manmohan Singh had allegedly colluded with Pakistan to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;There were media reports yesterday about a meeting at Mani Shankar Aiyar&#39;s house. It was attended by Pakistan&#39;s high commissioner, Pakistan&#39;s former foreign minister, India&#39;s former vice president and former prime minister Manmohan Singh,&quot; PM Modi spoke at an election rally at Palanpur earlier this month.</p>

<p>Congress has strongly condemned PM Modi&#39;s remark, demanding his apology for the same.</p>

<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Minister Khurshid <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/its-a-cock-and-bull-story-former-pakistan-minister-on-pm-modis-colluding-claims-26660">Mahmud Kasuri trashed Modi&#39;s allegations</a>, calling them &quot;baseless&quot;.&nbsp;</p>


The opposition created an uproar over PM Modi's remarks on Manmohan Singh during Gujarat election campaign

In a first, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was expected to lead a debate in Rajya Sabha today on "Right to Play and the future of sports in India". Sachin's debate could not be initiated as the Rajya Sabha session was adjourned until 11 am tomorrow after sloganeering began by the opposition. Uproar in Rajya Sabha over PM Modi's remarks on Manmohan Singh during Gujarat election campaign, as MP Sachin Tendulkar gets up to speak. pic.twitter.com/qbMh0qZ8yp — ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017 × Sachin Tendulkar was nominated to Rajya Sabha in the year 2012. He started off as an independent candidate with Congress' support. He (#SachinTendulkar) has earned name for India at the world stage, it is a matter of shame that he was not allowed to speak even when everyone knew it was on today's agenda. Are only politicians allowed to speak?: Jaya Bachchan, Rajya Sabha MP pic.twitter.com/NMRMHhdl5E — ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017 × The opposition created an uproar over PM Modi's remarks on Manmohan Singh made during Gujarat election campaign. There was an outcry at the parliament on Wednesday as well over PM Modi's remark. Reportedly, PM Modi had made a statement previously stating that Manmohan Singh had allegedly colluded with Pakistan to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat. "There were media reports yesterday about a meeting at Mani Shankar Aiyar's house. It was attended by Pakistan's high commissioner, Pakistan's former foreign minister, India's former vice president and former prime minister Manmohan Singh," PM Modi spoke at an election rally at Palanpur earlier this month. Congress has strongly condemned PM Modi's remark, demanding his apology for the same. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri trashed Modi's allegations, calling them "baseless".

Rajya Sabha adjourned, Sachin not allowed to make maiden speech

<p>The Parliament was adjourned&nbsp;today after the Opposition&#39;s Congress party raised slogans over prime minister Narendra Modi&#39;s remarks against former prime minister Manmohan Singh during the campaign for the Gujarat assembly elections.</p>

<p>Both houses, which were initially adjourned till noon, were later adjourned till 2 pm.</p>

<p>In the Lok Sabha, Congress leaders raised the issue of the remarks made against Manmohan Singh as soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took up the Question Hour.</p>

<p>As Congress members were assembling in the Well and started to raise slogans, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings till noon initially.&nbsp;Slogans including &quot;Doctor <em>sahab</em><em> </em><em>se</em><em> </em><em>maafi</em><em> </em><em>maango</em>&nbsp;(Apologise to Doctor sir&quot; were raised by the opposition during proceedings, referring to former PM Dr Manmohan Singh.</p>

<p>PM Modi was present in the House as questions related to the Prime Minister&#39;s Office are listed on Wednesday.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-congress-to-spar-over-pakistani-dinner-in-winter-session-of-parliament-27209">Storm gathering, BJP &amp; Congress to spar over &#39;Pakistani dinner&#39; in winter session of Parliament</a></p>

<p>In the Upper House, proceedings were adjourned first during the Zero Hour as opposition members disrupted proceedings by trooping into the Well and raising slogans and then again in the Question Hour when similar scenes continued.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-congress-to-spar-over-pakistani-dinner-in-winter-session-of-parliament-27209">The pre-lunch proceedings in the Rajya Sabha were washed out after Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said there was no question of giving an apology.</a><br />
<br />
&quot;This is not the way. Nobody is going to give an apology. Nothing happened in the House. The statement was not made here,&quot; Venkaiah Naidu said when the house reassembled at noon after the first adjournment.<br />
<br />
Congress and other opposition members created an&nbsp;uproar, demanding that the prime minister come to the House and clarifiy his remarks against Manmohan Singh.</p>

<p>During a poll campaign in Gujarat, PM Modi had claimed that Manmohan Singh and former vice president Hamid Ansari had attended a secret meeting at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar&#39;s house in Delhi which was also attended by former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and the Pakistani high commissioner to India. The PM claimed that the Gujarat elections were discussed with the Pakistani minister and envoy.</p>

<p>On Tuesday as well, the Congress party staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha after seeking an apology from PM Modi over his remarks against Manmohan Singh for an alleged &quot;secret meeting with Pakistani officials&quot;.</p>

<p>On Monday, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the same reason.</p>

<p>The winter session of Parliament began on December 15 and will conclude on January 5 next year.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


PM Modi had claimed that the former prime minister discussed the Gujarat elections with a Pakistan minister and an envoy from the country

The Parliament was adjourned today after the Opposition's Congress party raised slogans over prime minister Narendra Modi's remarks against former prime minister Manmohan Singh during the campaign for the Gujarat assembly elections. Both houses, which were initially adjourned till noon, were later adjourned till 2 pm. In the Lok Sabha, Congress leaders raised the issue of the remarks made against Manmohan Singh as soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took up the Question Hour. As Congress members were assembling in the Well and started to raise slogans, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings till noon initially. Slogans including "Doctor sahab se maafi maango (Apologise to Doctor sir" were raised by the opposition during proceedings, referring to former PM Dr Manmohan Singh. PM Modi was present in the House as questions related to the Prime Minister's Office are listed on Wednesday. Also Read: Storm gathering, BJP & Congress to spar over 'Pakistani dinner' in winter session of Parliament In the Upper House, proceedings were adjourned first during the Zero Hour as opposition members disrupted proceedings by trooping into the Well and raising slogans and then again in the Question Hour when similar scenes continued. The pre-lunch proceedings in the Rajya Sabha were washed out after Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said there was no question of giving an apology. "This is not the way. Nobody is going to give an apology. Nothing happened in the House. The statement was not made here," Venkaiah Naidu said when the house reassembled at noon after the first adjournment. Congress and other opposition members created an uproar, demanding that the prime minister come to the House and clarifiy his remarks against Manmohan Singh. During a poll campaign in Gujarat, PM Modi had claimed that Manmohan Singh and former vice president Hamid Ansari had attended a secret meeting at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's house in Delhi which was also attended by former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and the Pakistani high commissioner to India. The PM claimed that the Gujarat elections were discussed with the Pakistani minister and envoy. On Tuesday as well, the Congress party staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha after seeking an apology from PM Modi over his remarks against Manmohan Singh for an alleged "secret meeting with Pakistani officials". On Monday, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the same reason. The winter session of Parliament began on December 15 and will conclude on January 5 next year.

Parliament adjourned over PM Modi remarks against Manmohan Singh

<p>The Rajya Sabha today passed a bill, extending greater autonomy to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) by restricting the government&#39;s role in their functioning and granting them the power to award degrees to their graduates.</p>

<p>The Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017 -- which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July this year -- grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running, including the appointment of directors and faculty members.</p>

<p>The bill gives them powers to award degrees instead of postgraduate diplomas.</p>

<p>&quot;The bill offers autonomy to these institutes. Through this bill, we will remove all interference of the government, bureaucracy in the functioning of the IIMs. They will themselves decide how to manage and run these premier institutes,&quot; HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said while initiating a discussion.</p>

<p>Replying to the debate, he said the rules would be framed soon and assured the Rajya Sabha members that their suggestions would be considered. The bill was passed by the Upper House unanimously.</p>

<p>The minister assured the House that no poor students would be denied admission in IIMs and said the government would bear the interest on the education loan.</p>

<p>He said the existing board of IIMs would continue but changes would be made to comply with the provisions of this bill related to representation of SC, ST, and women in the board of governors.</p>

<p>Javadekar said that the government would withdraw its four representatives from the board.</p>

<p>Jairam Ramesh of the Congress earlier sought to know about the fate of the existing boards.</p>

<p>Justifying the autonomy for IIMs, Javadekar said, &quot;This is new beginning...We must start believing in our best educational institutes.&quot;</p>

<p>He said the government was thinking of granting greater autonomy to best institutions. &quot;Good institutions should have freedom,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Seeking support from the opposition parties, he added that the bill seeks to bring about a positive change in the educational system in the country and hence should be supported wholeheartedly.</p>

<p>Congress member MV Rajeev Gowda, while supporting the bill, asked the government to ensure that the lack of resources do not come in the way of anybody who wishes to study in the IIMs.</p>

<p>While laying emphasis on identifying talent for the faculty positions, he also asked the government to ensure that SCs, STs, and OBCs get scholarships and get admissions for doctoral programmes around the world.</p>

<p>&quot;This initiative should be taken on a mission mode,&quot; Gowda said.</p>

<p>D Raja of the CPI said said the legislation should ensure academic freedom and end social discrimination. He also advocated more spending on education.</p>

<p>Naresh Agarwal (SP) said the educational syllabus should be uniform across the country and demanded that government investment on education be increased. He also said there should not be any politics in education.</p>

<p>AIADMK member N Gokulakrishnan, Nadimul Haque (TMC), Kahkashan Parveen of JD(U), Prasanna Acharya (BJD), K Somaprasad of CPI(M), Vijay Sai Reddy (YSRCP), Anil Desai (Shiv Sena) also participated in the debate.</p>


The Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017 -- which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July this year -- grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running, including the appointment of directors and faculty members

The Rajya Sabha today passed a bill, extending greater autonomy to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) by restricting the government's role in their functioning and granting them the power to award degrees to their graduates. The Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017 -- which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July this year -- grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running, including the appointment of directors and faculty members. The bill gives them powers to award degrees instead of postgraduate diplomas. "The bill offers autonomy to these institutes. Through this bill, we will remove all interference of the government, bureaucracy in the functioning of the IIMs. They will themselves decide how to manage and run these premier institutes," HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said while initiating a discussion. Replying to the debate, he said the rules would be framed soon and assured the Rajya Sabha members that their suggestions would be considered. The bill was passed by the Upper House unanimously. The minister assured the House that no poor students would be denied admission in IIMs and said the government would bear the interest on the education loan. He said the existing board of IIMs would continue but changes would be made to comply with the provisions of this bill related to representation of SC, ST, and women in the board of governors. Javadekar said that the government would withdraw its four representatives from the board. Jairam Ramesh of the Congress earlier sought to know about the fate of the existing boards. Justifying the autonomy for IIMs, Javadekar said, "This is new beginning...We must start believing in our best educational institutes." He said the government was thinking of granting greater autonomy to best institutions. "Good institutions should have freedom," he added. Seeking support from the opposition parties, he added that the bill seeks to bring about a positive change in the educational system in the country and hence should be supported wholeheartedly. Congress member MV Rajeev Gowda, while supporting the bill, asked the government to ensure that the lack of resources do not come in the way of anybody who wishes to study in the IIMs. While laying emphasis on identifying talent for the faculty positions, he also asked the government to ensure that SCs, STs, and OBCs get scholarships and get admissions for doctoral programmes around the world. "This initiative should be taken on a mission mode," Gowda said. D Raja of the CPI said said the legislation should ensure academic freedom and end social discrimination. He also advocated more spending on education. Naresh Agarwal (SP) said the educational syllabus should be uniform across the country and demanded that government investment on education be increased. He also said there should not be any politics in education. AIADMK member N Gokulakrishnan, Nadimul Haque (TMC), Kahkashan Parveen of JD(U), Prasanna Acharya (BJD), K Somaprasad of CPI(M), Vijay Sai Reddy (YSRCP), Anil Desai (Shiv Sena) also participated in the debate.

Rajya Sabha passes bill to grant more autonomy to IIMs

<p>A bill seeking to extend the facility of proxy voting to overseas Indians, on the lines of service voters, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday.</p>

<p>The draft law also seeks to make the election law gender neutral by replacing the term wife with spouse to benefit service voters.</p>

<p>According to the provisions of Representation of the People Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017 introduced by Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in the Lower House, overseas Indians, who are entitled to vote in India, can now appoint a proxy voter to cast their votes.</p>

<p>As of now, overseas Indians were free to cast their votes in the constituencies where they were registered. But, according to the draft bill, they would now be allowed to use the option of proxy, which till now was only available to service personnel.</p>

<p>An expert committee of the Election Commission working on the issue had in 2015 forwarded the legal framework to the law ministry to amend the electoral laws to allow overseas Indians use proxy voting. Unofficial data with EC shows that only 10,000 to 12,000 overseas voters have exercised their franchise because they do not want to spend foreign currency to come to India and vote.</p>

<p>The bill said the necessary provision of coming to India to cast ballot caused &quot;hardship&quot; to overseas electors. Another provision in the amendment bill relates to spouses of service voters. As of now, an army man&#39;s wife is entitled to be enrolled as a service voter, but a woman army officer&#39;s husband is not, according to the provisions of the electoral law.</p>

<p>But the draft bill proposes to replace the term wife with the spouse, thus making the provision gender neutral.</p>

<p>Members of the armed forces, central armed police forces, personnel of state police forces posted outside their state and employees of the Centre posted outside India are eligible to be enrolled as service voters.</p>

<p>The wife of a service voter, if she is residing with him, is also entitled to be enrolled as a service voter in the constituency specified by that person. But children and other relatives residing with a service voter cannot be enrolled as service voters, according to EC website.</p>


The draft law also seeks to make the election law gender neutral by replacing the term wife with the spouse to benefit service voters

A bill seeking to extend the facility of proxy voting to overseas Indians, on the lines of service voters, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The draft law also seeks to make the election law gender neutral by replacing the term wife with spouse to benefit service voters. According to the provisions of Representation of the People Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017 introduced by Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in the Lower House, overseas Indians, who are entitled to vote in India, can now appoint a proxy voter to cast their votes. As of now, overseas Indians were free to cast their votes in the constituencies where they were registered. But, according to the draft bill, they would now be allowed to use the option of proxy, which till now was only available to service personnel. An expert committee of the Election Commission working on the issue had in 2015 forwarded the legal framework to the law ministry to amend the electoral laws to allow overseas Indians use proxy voting. Unofficial data with EC shows that only 10,000 to 12,000 overseas voters have exercised their franchise because they do not want to spend foreign currency to come to India and vote. The bill said the necessary provision of coming to India to cast ballot caused "hardship" to overseas electors. Another provision in the amendment bill relates to spouses of service voters. As of now, an army man's wife is entitled to be enrolled as a service voter, but a woman army officer's husband is not, according to the provisions of the electoral law. But the draft bill proposes to replace the term wife with the spouse, thus making the provision gender neutral. Members of the armed forces, central armed police forces, personnel of state police forces posted outside their state and employees of the Centre posted outside India are eligible to be enrolled as service voters. The wife of a service voter, if she is residing with him, is also entitled to be enrolled as a service voter in the constituency specified by that person. But children and other relatives residing with a service voter cannot be enrolled as service voters, according to EC website.

Draft bill allowing overseas Indians to appoint proxy voters introduced in Lok Sabha

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