A bill criminalising triple talaq was passed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday amid protests from the opposition objecting to its introduction, and an assurance from Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad that "it was not about religion but about justice and respect for women".
Members from the RJD, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Biju Janata Dal and some other parties spoke against the bill -- The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017.
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 new law, which would be applicable to the entire country except Jammu and Kashmir, giving instant talaq would attract a jail term of three years and a fine. It would be a non-bailable offence.
TRIPLE TALAQ TIMELINE:
December 28, 2017: Bill to criminalise Triple Talaq passed in Lok Sabha.
December 15, 2017: The government approved a draft law under which the practice of giving instant triple talaq would be made illegal and void and would attract a jail term of three years for the husband.
August 22, 2017: The Supreme Court struck down the practice of 'triple talaq' among Muslim community and held the practice unconstitutional.
August 15, 2017: In Independence Day speech, PM Narendra Modi applauds Muslim women for beginning a movement against the age-old practice addind that the entire country is with them
May 18, 2017: Top court reserves verdict.
May 17, 2017: SC asks the All India Muslim Personal Law Board whether a woman can be given an option of dismissing triple talaq at the time of nikahnama (Islamic marriage contract).
May 16, 2017: All India Muslim Personal Law Board says triple talaq is a 1,400-year-old practice and is a matter of faith.
May 15, 2017: Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi tells the court that the Centre is willing to bring a new law to regulate marriage and divorce among Muslims if the practice is declared unconstitutional.
May 12, 2017: The apex court says the practice of triple talaq is the worst and not desirable form of dissolution of marriages among Muslims.
May 3, 2017: Supreme Court allows Salman Khurshid as amicus curiae in hearing of pleas.
April 29, 2017: The opposition charges PM Modi with politicising the triple talaq issue.
April 21, 2017: The Delhi High Court dismisses a plea seeking to ban the practice on Hindu women married to Muslim men.
April 17, 2016: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says politicians mum on triple talaq are equally responsible as those practising it.
April 16, 2017: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says Muslim women should get justice.
March 27, 2017: All India Muslim Personal Law Board tells Supreme Court that these issues should not be touched by court.
February 16, 2016: Announcement of five-judge constitution bench to hear the challenge on triple talaq, nikah halala and polygamy.
December 9, 2016: The Allahabad High Court says that personal laws can't be above than constitutional rights.
October 7, 2016: Centre opposes these practices in Supreme Court.
June 29, 2016: SC assures to test triple talaq on "touchstone of constitutional framework".
March 28, 2016: SC asks Centre to submit a copy of the panel report on 'women and the law: An assessment of family laws with focus on laws relating to marriage, divorce, custody, inheritance and succession'.
February 5, 2016: Mukul Rohatgi instructed to assist SC on the pleas challenging constitutional validity of 'triple talaq, nikah halala and polygamy.
October 16, 2015: Chief Justice of India is asked by Supreme Court bench to constitute a bench to assess if Muslim women face gender discrimination in cases of divorce.
