PTI Photo
New Delhi, December 17 (IANS) The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018, commonly known as the Triple Talaq Bill, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday despite opposition from the Congress and amid protests over the Rafale controversy.
Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the billamid ruckus created by opposition members including the Congress, AIADMK andTDP over various demands.
Soon after the House reassembled at noon after the firstadjournment, the Congress, the AIADMK and TDP members trooped near theSpeaker's podium and started sloganeering.
The Congress members were demanding a Joint ParliamentaryCommittee (JPC) probe into the Rafale jet fighter deal with France while theAIADMK members wanted Karnataka to take back its proposal to construct a damacross the Cauvery river at Mekadatu.
The TDP members raised several issues related to specialstatus to Andhra Pradesh.
Amid the din, Minister Prasad sought permission from theChair to introduce the bill.
Congress member Shashi Tharoor opposed the bill claiming itwas targeted at a particular religion and hence unconstitutional.
"The bill was based on the ground of a specificreligion and it was violation of sections 14 and 21 of the Constitution. Thisis a misconceived bill," he said.
His objections were rejected by Prasad.
"The bill was brought in as per the direction of theSupreme Court to protect the rights of Muslim women. Several Muslim womensuffered due to instant talaq. This bill is in the nation's interest andconstitutional. The objection is baseless," Prasad said and thenintroduced the bill.
The government could not pass the bill in Rajya Sabha duringthe previous monsoon session.
Later it issued an ordinance on September 19 in makingTriple Talaq a criminal offence.
