Amid vociferous protest by opposition parties, the BJP-led NDA government today tabled a bill in the Lok Sabha that seeks to make instant triple talaq Muslims illegal and void and awarding a jail term of three years for the husband.
The bill was -- Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, was introduced by Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Calling it a ‘historic day’, he said that the law is about justice and respect for women and is not about any religion or community and that the practice of instant triple has continued despite the Supreme Court order terming it void.
Parliament has to decide whether the victims of triple talaq have fundamental rights or not, he said after opposition members including RJD, AIMIM, BJD and All India Muslim League claimed it violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
"It is a historic day. We are making history today," Prasad said.
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 proposed 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.
With PTI Inputs
