Govt eyes Budget Session window to push for bills on talaq, citizenship

NEW DELHI: The contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill, which seeks to offer citizenship to illegal, non-muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill or the triple talaq bill, which criminalises the practice of instant verbal divorce, will now be taken up during the budget session of Parliament, scheduled to begin on January 31.

On December 27, Lok Sabha passed the triple talaq bill even as the opposition staged a walkout. The government faces stiff resistance from the opposition, including its allies such as the Janata Dal United, on passage of the bill. The opposition wants the bill to be sent to a joint select committee.

According to people aware of the developments, there is a possibility of re-promulgating the triple talaq ordinance that expires on January 24 after the Rajya Sabha is prorogued.

While the citizenship bill was taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, it could not be passed. The bill, which has set off violence in Assam where its provisions have caused concern, was passed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Although the government put on record that there is “wrong information” about the provisions of the bill, opposition parties termed it “divisive” and “flawed”.

After the opposition forced an adjournment in the Rajya Sabha, deputy chairman Harivansh called leader of the house Arun Jaitley, Congress leaders Anand Sharma and B Kalita for a discussion. Congress leaders are learnt to have voiced concern over the situation in the north-east on the issue of citizenship. Attempting to allay their concerns, Jaitley said Union home minister Rajnath Singh could make a statement and suggested that the reservation bill be considered and passed given its importance.