Triple Talaq Bill in limbo as govt, Opp. remain adamant

The Triple Talaq Bill labelled "historic" remained in limbo with both government and the Opposition refusing to budge from their respective positions. While the treasury benches in the Rajya Sabha sought that the Bill be debated upon and then either considered for passage or be sent to a select committee, the Opposition stuck to its guns that the House should first vote upon the select committee motions moved by it on Wednesday. The government has listed the bill again for tomorrow in the list of business in the Rajya Sabha. Sources said they will make another attempt to push the Bill.

After an eyeball- to- eyeball confrontation in the Upper House on Wednesday, the government had listed the Bill as the second item to be taken up after the Amendment to the Goods and Services Bill. However, the Opposition parties including the Congress, Trinamul Congress and the Left insisted that the legislation on triple talaq be taken up first as it was an "unfinished business" of the Wednesday agenda.

The government, however, refused to oblige and the result was a huge ruckus which forced deputy chairperson P. J. Kurien to adjourn the House for the day without transacting any legislative business at all.

At the end of it all both sides claimed they had exposed each other. "Opposition stands exposed in Rajya Sabha. For last two days it has been said that if there are any issues in triple talaq, those issues need to be put on the floor of the House. Why is the Congress- led Opposition running away from discussion," Union Minister Smriti Irani said.

From the other side Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad maintained that his party was not against the Bill. "We are not against the Bill. We want the infirmities in the Bill to be corrected. I repeat we are not against the Bill. If this Bill is passed it will lead to husbands being jailed.”