Oppn presses for Parl panel review, may be tabled in Rajya Sabha today

NEW DELHI: The triple talaq bill is expected to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, after it was passed by the Lok Sabha, albeit with caveats, last week. The contentious bill had gathered mixed response from all parties when it was introduced in the lower house, and it might face an uphill task in the upper house where the ruling BJP lacks the numbers.

However, the BJP is hopeful the proposed legislation will get a green signal in the Rajya Sabha too and has reportedly reached out to the Congress, the leading Opposition party, to ensure smooth passage of the bill.

“We are in talks with the Congress party and others for the triple talaq Bill, and hope for a smooth passage in Rajya Sabha,” Union parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar told reporters outside Parliament earlier on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, opposition parties including Congress met on Tuesday to discuss the strategy to be adopted on the Bill when it is taken up in the Upper House.

The opposition parties are said to be planning for either amendment against criminalising triple talaq or referring the Bill to a select committee for detailed consideration.

The bill, if enacted, will make triple talaq a criminal offence. It proposes a threeyear jail term for a Muslim man who divorces his wife in any form of spoken, written or by electronic means such as email, SMS, and Whatsapp.