Rajya Sabha Adjourned; Oppn Demand Select Committee Review Of Triple Talaq Bill

New Delhi: It was all noise and no discussion as the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday as the Opposition persisted with its demand for the Triple Talaq Bill be to sent to a House select Committee for a closer scrutiny. BJD also demanded certain amendments before it pledges its support to the legislation.

1. The Bill is now expected to be taken up for discussion when Parliament reconvenes on January 2.

2. BJD, which had earlier bailed out the BJP Government for passage of key legislation, stuck to its stand on further amendments to the Bill. “We want the Triple Talaq Bill to be passed as soon as possible in the Upper House but with certain amendments, ” BJD Rajya Sabha member and Vice-President Prasanna Acharya said.

3. The BJD, along with the opposition, has been demanding that the provision for a three-year jail term for the husband should be dropped, arguing that a criminal angle cannot be introduced in a civil matter. The Bill, it perceived was discriminatory in nature as there is no punishment for desertion in the Hindu religion.

4. The Bill was passed in Lok Sabha where the BJP-led Government enjoys majority in the House. However, it is not so the case in Rajya Sabha. NDA ally JDU has decided to abstain should the Bill is taken up for voting.

5.The revised bill makes ‘triple talaq’ an offence with a jail term of up to three years and a fine for the husband, and makes the woman entitled to maintenance.

6. In September, the government made instant it punishable through an ordinance or executive order. The proposed law is expected to replace the ordinance.

7. In a landmark verdict in August last year, the Supreme Court found the practice of instant Triple Talaq un-Islamic and “arbitrary”, and disagreed that it was an integral part of Islamic religious practice.

8. Ahead of the session on Monday, the opposition party leaders met to finalise their strategy for the day and moved a resolution seeking that the bill be sent to a select committee for review.

9.Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief N Chandrababu Naidu had a telephonic discussion with Congress President Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier in the day as well to strategies and to foil the Centre’s attempt to pass the Triple Talaq Billl in Rajya Sabha.

10. BJP’s parliamentary party also met ahead of the session today, chaired by PM Narendra Modi. Party President Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Home Minister Rajnath Singh present in the meeting. Observers feel, the Modi government has to rework its strategy on the bill before the Parliament resumes on January 2.