Rajya Sabha Passes Landmark Triple Talaq Bill

Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019, better known as the Triple Talaq Bill. The bill to ban 'Triple Talaq' which failed in the Rajya Sabha last time sailed through the opposition-dominated upper house yesterday with a slim margin. In the 240 members House, 99 members voted in favour, 84 members were against and 57 members stayed away by walking out, abstaining or being absent.

Few Minutes later the vote, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted - "An archaic and medieval practice has finally been confined to the dustbin of history! Parliament abolishes Triple Talaq and corrects a historical wrong done to Muslim women. This is a victory of gender justice and will further equality in society. India rejoices today!"

Who opposed it?

The parties that opposed the bill were Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United, AIADMK and K Chandrashekar Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi ended up aiding the bill's passage. AIADMK and Nitish Kumar's party walked out directly, while PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti abstained from voting, bringing down the majority mark.

Absent MPs

Eight Congress MPs were absent during the vote, which included Sanjay Singh, who resigned before the Bill was put to vote. Also some high profile Opposition leaders like the NCP’s Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel were absent. BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra also opposed the Bill but at the time of voting, all the four party MPs were absent.

How did the President and Law minister reacted

President (Ram Nath Kovind) on Tuesday tweeted - “Passage in the Rajya Sabha of Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill completes Parliament’s approval of ban on the inequitable practice of triple talaq. A milestone in the quest for gender justice; a moment of satisfaction for the entire country".

Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that "Today is a historic day. Both houses have given justice to the Muslim women. This is the beginning of a transforming India".

The bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha last week and rajya sabha on tuesday will become law after receiving the assent of the President.