Triple Talaq Bill passed by Rajya Sabha, massive victory for Narendra Modi govt

Making Triple Talaq a criminal offence: Parliament approved the bill that makes instant triple talaq a criminal offence on July 30, 2019, after the contentious legislation was passed by Rajya Sabha. On August 1, 2019, President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent to the triple talaq bill passed by Parliament, turning it into a law that makes the practice of instant divorce among Muslims a punishable offence.

In a massive victory for PM Narendra Modi-led NDA government, the triple talaq bill has been passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 30. The bill makes instant triple talaq a criminal offence.

Put to vote after a lengthy debate, the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 99 to 84 votes.

Non-aligned Biju Janata Dal (BJD) extended support while NDA constituents JD(U) and AIADMK staged a walk-out ahead of the voting process.

The Bill will now go to President Ram Nath Kovind for his assent. Once the triple talaq bill gets assent of the President and notified by the government, it will replace the triple talaq ordinance promulgated last in February.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted soon after the Bill was passed, saying, "An archaic and medieval practice has finally been confined to the dustbin of history! Parliament abolishes Triple Talaq and corrects a historical wrong done to Muslim women. This is a victory of gender justice and will further equality in society. India rejoices today!"

He added, "I thank all parties and MPs who have supported the passage of The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 in both Houses of Parliament. They have risen to the occasion and this step of theirs will forever be remembered in India’s history."

He further tweeted, "This is an occasion to salute the remarkable courage of those Muslim women who have suffered great wrongs just due to the practice of Triple Talaq. The abolition of Triple Talaq will contribute to women empowerment and give women the dignity they deserve in our society."

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who introduced the Triple Talaq bill in Rajya Sabha, said, "This is a matter of gender justice, dignity and equality."

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, said, "The Bill is for protection of rights on marriage but the real motive is destruction of families."

The triple talaq bill has been a bone of contention between the Narendra Modi government and the Opposition since December 2017, when the government first tabled the legislation in the Lok Sabha. The bill followed a Supreme Court judgment in August that year.

The Supreme Court had declared the practice of instant triple talaq unconstitutional and a divorce pronounced by uttering talaq three times in one sitting void and illegal.

The triple talaq bill of the previous Narendra Modi government lapsed with the dissolution of the Lok Sabha upon completion of its tenure. The Rajya Sabha had not approved the bill back then.