Suspense mounts over fate of triple talaq bill

Suspense mounted on Tuesday on the fate of the bill that seeks to criminalise instant divorce by Muslim husbands as the government virtually rejected an overwhelming demand from the opposition for referring it to a select committee of the Rajya Sabha for detailed consideration.

A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha ended without a consensus on the issue as the government was keen that the controversial Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 be adopted as passed last week by the Lok Sabha.

At the meeting, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.N. Ananth Kumar are believed to have told the opposition that they should not insist on amendments to the bill or to recommend its reference to a parliamentary committee.

However, virtually the entire opposition, including those friendly to the ruling BJP like TDP and AIADMK, pressed for reference of the bill to a select committee so that “lacunae” in the legislation could be rectified.

In the BAC meeting, the Congress and other opposition parties put up the proposal to send the bill to a select committee but the government was not interested in it, sources privy to the discussion told IANS.

The government insisted on bringing the bill to the House and take its sense before deciding about its final fate.

The BAC has allotted four hours’ time for a discussion on the bill on Wednesday.

However, the picture may become clear at the meeting that Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu is going to have with floor leaders on Wednesday morning.

Earlier, Ananth Kumar said the government was in talks with the Congress and other parties for ensuring smooth passage of the bill in the Rajya Sabha.

“We are in talks with the Congress party and others for the triple talaq bill, and hope for a smooth passage in the Rajya Sabha. It can be taken up tomorrow (Wednesday). May be tomorrow,” he told reporters outside Parliament.

He also said that the Congress did not press for amendment in the Lok Sabha. Similarly they should ensure smooth passage of the bill in the Rajya Sabha, he added.

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

CPI leader D. Raja said that the Left wants the bill to be referred to a select committee and accused the government of “bypassing” parliamentary panels on crucial bills.