Parliament passes bill to criminalise triple talaq

Npnews24 online, New Delhi: After a lengthy debate with the opposition, the Lok Sabha passed the Triple Talaq bill, which criminalises instant divorce by Muslim men and seeks jail term for the guilty.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told the Lower house that it was important to bring in a law banning instant triple talaq as the practice has continued despite a Supreme Court verdict passed in 2017.

It was the first draft legislation tabled by the Narendra Modi government in its first session after it took oath of office for a second term.

Several opposition parties have bitterly opposed the legislation, but the government has asserted that the bill is a step towards gender equality and justice. Parties like the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the DMK have demanded that it be sent to a parliamentary committee for scrutiny.