Will ensure that Muslim women get justice: PM

PM Modi on Sunday assured justice to Muslim women through Triple Talaq Bill. While addressing the nation in the 47th edition of his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme, the PM said, “The Triple Talaq bill was passed in Lok Sabha, but could not be passed in Rajya Sabha. But, I would like to assure Muslim women that the entire nation is there with them and we will ensure that they get justice."

The BJP has been accusing the Congress of stalling the passage of the landmark Bill which was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 29, 2017. The Bill is yet to be introduced in the upper House of the Parliament. The Congress-led Opposition, however, has demanded that the Bill should be sent to the Select Committee for further scrutiny. Responding to a question by ANI on Congress stonewalling the Triple Talaq Bill in courts and in the Parliament, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, at an event in London, said "We have an issue with the criminalisation (part of the Bill) but we have not stonewalled anything. Our issue is with the criminalisation aspect."

The Bill proposes a three-year jail term for a Muslim man who divorces his wife through Triple Talaq, in any form of spoken, written or by electronic means such as email, SMS, and Whats App. Debate on simultaneous polls a healthy sign of democracy; tribute to Vajpayee: PM

Describing the debate on holding Lok Sabha and assembly polls together a healthy sign for democracy, PM Modi said it was an appropriate tribute to former premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee who changed the country's political culture. He said efforts were afoot and discussions being held about simultaneously holding Lok Sabha and assembly polls. "The government and the opposition – both are putting forth their view points. This is a good development and a healthy sign for our democracy. "I must say that developing healthy traditions for a sound democracy, making constant efforts to strengthen democracy, encouraging openminded debates would also be an appropriate tribute to Atalji," Modi said. Political parties are divided on the issue of simultaneous polls. BJP, its NDA partners Shiromani Akali Dal, AIADMK, Samajwadi Party and Telangana Rashtra Samiti have supported it. The Congress, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, DMK, Telugu Desam Party, Left parties and the JD(S) have opposed the proposal. The parties have given their response to the Law Commission, which is set to come out with a legal framework required to hold the mammoth exercise.