Triple Talaq: The cabinet today approved an executive order or ordinance making triple talaq an offence
The cabinet today approved a Triple Talaq ordinance making it an offence after an amended draft bill failed to clear Rajya Sabha in the last session of parliament amid disagreement within parties.
The triple talaq law, officially called Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, dilutes three contentious provisions.
The first change allows only a woman, or a close relative, to file a police case against her husband for instant triple talaq, the Islamic practice that allows men to divorce their wives immediately by uttering the word "talaq" (divorce) thrice.
The second amendment allows her to drop the case if the husband comes around later and they arrive at a compromise.
Here are the LIVE Updates over the Triple Talaq executive order:
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad saying there was a "compelling necessity" to bring the measure as instances of 'talaq-e-biddat' continued unabated despite the Supreme Court striking it down.
Triple talaq ordinance a welcome step, I am very happy that Centre has taken such a decision: Ishrat Jahan, petitioner in case.
Triple Talaq ordinance against Muslim women, says Asaduddin Owaisi
"This ordinance is against the Muslim women. This ordinance will not provide justice to the Muslim women. In Islam, marriage is a civil contract and bringing penal provisions in it is wrong," says Asaduddin Owaisi.
"Modi government not making this an issue for justice for Muslim women, but making this into a political issue," says Congress leader Randeep Surjewala.
The Supreme Court outlawed the practice last year, but Modi's government wants to make it a non-bailable offence carrying a jail term of up to three years, following protests by Muslim women, according to news agency Reuters.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told a news conference the cabinet approved the decree because the practice persisted despite the court decision.
In August last year, the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a law that allowed Muslim men to divorce their wives simply by uttering the word "talaq", or "divorce" in Arabic, three times, said the Reuters report.
Triple Talaq: "There was a compelling necessity to come with an ordinance on Triple Talaq," says Ravi Shankar Prasad
Triple Talaq: "We would appreciate Congress' support on floor of the house, not before TV," says Ravi Shankar Prasad
"I appeal to Sonia Gandhi, Mayawati and Mamata Banerjee to support the bill," says Ravi Shankar Prasad.
"We want the congress to say it on the floor of the house, not on TV," he said, adding that the bill was not watered down.
"The core component of this Ordinance is that an offence will be cognizable only when the FIR is filed by the victim wife or her close relations by blood or marriage," says Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Triple Talaq will be recognised as a crime only when a woman or her blood relative files a complaint with the police, says Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Triple Talaq Ordinance: "We tried to reach out to Congress": Ravi Shankar Prasad tweets
Between January 2017 to September 2018, 430 cases of Triple Talaq have been reported, Ravi Shankar Prasad tweeted, adding that 229 cases were reported prior to Supreme Court judgement and 201 cases reported after the judgement.
He said it was "shocking" that a "woman leader like Sonia Gandhi did not cooperate with government" to get rid of the "barbaric" process of Triple Talaq.
Triple Talaq: Ravi Shankar Prasad says Congress came under vote bank pressure
Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that the Congress had come under pressure of "vote bank" and had hence not supported the Triple Talaq bill.
He said there have been a series of papers citing many instances of Triple Talaq.
He also said there was an overpowering urgency for the ordinance, adding that 22 Muslim countries have regulated Triple Talaq.
Triple Talaq: Ravi Shankar Prasad is speaking on the Triple Talaq ordinance
Hardeep Singh Puri tweets on Triple Talaq Bill
Minister of state for Housing and Urban Affairs has tweeted on the Triple Talaq bill. In a series of tweets, he said that the efforts to pass the Triple Talaq bull were "thwarted by those who would rather let our Muslim sisters live as unequal partners."
He also said that he was "delighted" the Cabinet gave its approval to the "historic" Triple Talaq ordinance.