Triple Talaq Bill is likely to be taken up for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha today.
The contentious bill banning the practice of instant Triple Talaq was passed by the Lok Sabha today after a heated debated. Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the the bill was about gender justice as the government introduced the law in the Lok Sabha. The opposition fiercely protested against certain the bill in its current form, contending that it would end up victimising Muslims. The new law provides for a three-year jail term for Muslim men who get an instant divorce by uttering "Talaq" thrice. The ruling BJP had issued a whip to its lawmakers, asking them to be present in the lower house for the voting.
While the bill had a smooth passage through Lok Sabha, roadblocks are expected in the Rajya Sabha where the government lacks the numbers needed to pass a bill on its own. A chunk of parties, including Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal and Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress will object to the bill in the Rajya Sabha. Even ally Nitish Kumar has said his Janata Dal United will oppose it.
Meanwhile, the Right To Information (RTI) bill proposing significant changes to the transparency law was passed by the Rajya Sabha test despite the opposition's objections, with the government bringing the fence-sitters on board. Non-aligned parties like the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) agreed to support the RTI bill.
Here are the LIVE updates on the Parliament session:
RTI Amendment Bill Clears Rajya Sabha Test Despite Protests By OppositionThe Right to Information (RTI) bill seeking significant changes to the transparency law is set to pass the Rajya Sabha test despite the opposition's objections, with the government bringing the fence-sitters on board. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly spoke to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the support of his Biju Janata Dal (BJD)
The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 passed by Rajya Sabha
Congress lawmaker stage walkout from Rajya Sabha during debate on RTI Amendment Bill 2019
Ravi Shankar Prasad On Triple Talaq Bill
"When Hindus and Muslims are jailed under dowry law or Domestic Violence Act, no one objects. What is the objection in penalising the practice"
Voting on Triple Talaq Bill begins in Lok Sabha
Ravi Shankar Prasad On Opposition's Demand For Law Against Mob Lynching
"Now there are demands that bring a law against mob lynchings, Isn't there a section on murder, on conspiracy? Isn't the court punishing in cases of mob lynchings? If incidents of mob lynchings are taking place then action is also being taken"
Triple Talaq Bill 2019: Trinamool Congress Lawmakers Walk Out Of Lok Sabha In Protest
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad On Triple Talaq Bill"There have been 345 cases of triple talaq after the judgment till July 24. Should we leave these women on roads? I am a minister in Narendra Modi government and not in Rajiv Gandhi government"
Azam Khan Sexist Comments On Rama Devi: Row In Parliament. Sister, He ClarifiesAzam Khan, the Samajwadi Party lawmaker notorious for running his mouth, today struck parliament with a sexist comment directed at the Chair during a debate on the government's bill to ban instant triple talaq. The Lok Sabha erupted with demands for Azam Khan's apology even as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav defended him
Laws Not Enough To End Social Evil: Asaduddin Owaisi On Triple Talaq BillLaws Not Enough To End Social Evil: Asaduddin Owaisi On Triple Talaq Bill
During the Triple Talaq bill debate in Lok Sabha, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that the jail term prescribed in the bill is against criminal jurisprudence. He also said that Indian Muslims shouldn't be compared to those in Islamic nations. "Muslims in India are not homogeneous. There are various sects." Accusing the government of inaction on the #MeToo Movement, Mr Owaisi said: "During the #MeToo Movement what happened to the group of ministers' report? The group of ministers was disbanded. You took no action against your MP. This is your love for women"
Triple Talaq Bill in Lok Sabha: Government Has Unequivocally Stood For The Shah Banos Of This Country, Says Kirron Kher
BJP lawmaker Kirron Kher said the practice of Triple Talaq is an insult to the Indian legal system. Nearly all Muslim countries have banned the practice of instant Triple Talaq, she said. Citing a national survey by Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, she said that 92.1 per cent of Muslim women want a total ban on unilateral divorce. Taking aim at the opposition, Ms Kher said their arguments against the bill lack substance. 
Akhilesh Yadav On Azam Khan's Remarks
"I don't think Azam Khan ji meant any disrespect to the chair (Rama Devi). These (BJP MPs) people are so rude, who are they to raise fingers?"
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till 4:09 PM
Triple Talaq Bill: New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi Says Government Is "Trying To Bring Everyone Together"
"It is the political courage that was missing out. That courage is shown by this government. Earlier, governments tried to appease certain section for votes. We are trying to bring everyone together," BJP lawmaker Meenakshi Lekhi.
"Women of this country are the biggest minority. Let us give them gender justice....We need to encourage brotherhood which is only possible when we look beyond caste and religious lines," she said.
MDMK leader Vaiko takes oath as member of Rajya Sabha
MDMK leader Vaiko, who was elected to Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu, took oath as the member of the Upper House on Thursday.
The 75-year-old is currently the General Secretary of MDMK. He was a candidate of the DMK for the elections to Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu this month.
Vaiko makes a re-entry into the Upper House after 23 years. This will be his fourth term as member of the Council of States.
Indian Union Muslim League also opposes the Bill.
Revolutionary Socialist Party's NK Premachandran, a Member of Parliament from Kerala, is opposing the Triple Talaq Bill. "The purpose of the Bill is to penalise Muslim men," he says.
"Why the government is not ready to make a legislation on mob lynching, when it has been directed by the Supreme Court. This is a politically motivated Bill to target a particular community," he adds.
"Irrespective of religion, all women are equal in the eyes of law. Why should Muslim women be left to fend for themselves? So many countries are bringing a law against Triple Talaq, then why can't a secular country like India do it," he says.
Mr Prasad refers to a recent incident in Uttar Pradesh where a woman was given triple talaq because of her habit of cleaning her teeth with tobacco. The woman had claimed that her husband and her in-laws have been tortured her demanding dowry ever since she got married seven months back.
Ravi Shankar Prasad pushes for passage of Triple Talaq Bill citing one of the Supreme Court judges comment on Triple Talaq. "One judge had said Triple Talaq is arbitrary and unconstitutional so should be abolished. Another judge said Teen talaq is wrong by law, while other judges said that a law should be made against it," he says.
Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad initiates a debate in favour of the Triple Talaq Bill. "What is not right in the Shariat should be corrected in law," he says.
The government is likely to take Triple Talaq Bill for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Congress is all set to oppose the Bill in the current form saying it should consult with the community to codify it holistically.
The BJP has asked all its MPs to be present in House when the Bill is brought for passage. Following the government's move to bring the Bill to ban Triple Talaq, the Congress hit back saying the community should be consulted first.