United opposition stalls triple talaq bill in Rajya Sabha
The Triple Talaq Bill 2018 was today stalled in Rajya Sabha, with the Opposition demanding scrutiny by a select committee
New Delhi: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government on Monday failed to table the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018, in the Rajya Sabha four days after it was passed by the Lok Sabha.
The opposition has demanded that the bill, also known as the triple talaq bill, be scrutinized by a select committee. The bill aims to criminalize the practice of instant triple talaq.
“A very important bill is pending. Under Rule 125, the bill should first go to a standing committee and if not then a select committee and the Centre has broken that rule," leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad told the House.
Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said the bill “cannot be passed until it has gone through a scrutiny. Let this be referred to a select committee. Even if the Lok Sabha has passed it, the Rajya Sabha is not a rubber stamp."
However, Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who tabled the bill in the Rajya Sabha, urged the Congress not to delay its passage.
“We are ready to have a discussion. However, this is a matter of humanity and the rights of Muslim women. This should not be delayed because it will delay justice to these women who are given triple talaq even through WhatsApp messages. If the opposition has any suggestions, we are willing to listen to them," Prasad said.
The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018 with 245 votes in favour and 11 against.
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