English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Modi government plans law banning instant triple talaq

Published

on

Triple-Talaq

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Amid continuing reports of talaq-ul-biddat being given despite SC order against the practice, Modi government likely to table new law in next Parliament session

It has been over three months since the Supreme Court, in a historic verdict, decried the practice of talaq-ul-biddat or instant triple talaq in the Muslim community as unislamic, arbitrary and unconstitutional”, yet the obnoxious practice seems to still continue. Now, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government is planning to bring a new law that could ban the practice, possibly even making it a criminal offence.

If reports in a section of the media are anything to go by, the Modi government is already working on a draft legislation that seeks to ban the practice of triple talaq and could table this Bill in the next session of Parliament.

The Centre is currently drawing flak for delaying a notification on the winter session of Parliament – which traditionally starts by the third week of November.

However, if the government does succeed in tabling the reformist Bill in the winter session of Parliament – rumoured to commence in the third week of December – then the Opposition’s attempt to corner the Modi government on issues ranging from the continuing aftermath of GST and demonetisation, allegations of financial impropriety against sons of BJP president Amit Shah and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, rising food prices, etc. could be substantially dented.

According to news agency PTI, the government has already set up a ministerial panel “to consider a legislation to put an end to instantaneous triple talaq, a Muslim way of divorce which is said to be still in practice despite the Supreme Court striking it down”.

A report in the Economic Times quoted anonymous sources in the government who are privy to the Centre’s plans on the new legislation as saying that in order to give effect to the August 22 verdict the apex court, “the government is taking the matter forward and is considering to bring about a suitable legislation or amending existing penal provisions which shall make instantaneous Triple Talaq an offence.”

“There have been reports of number of divorces by way of talaq-ul-biddat happening even after the SC judgement. This could be because of lack of knowledge of Muslim husbands about the Supreme Court’s decision or because of lack of deterrent punishment for the act of talaq-e-biddat. In spite of advisories to the members of the community against this archaic practice, there seems to be no decline in the practice of divorce by talaq-e-biddat,” the Economic Times report quoted a government source as saying.

It may be recalled that during the arguments in the Supreme Court in the triple talaq case, members of the Muslim community who were opposed to judicial intervention in a matter of “personal law” – especially lawyers representing the All India Muslim Personal Law Board – had submitted that they were open to the government making the practice of instant triple talaq illegal by way of a legislation.

If the government succeeds in drafting the forward-looking legislation and having it passed by Parliament, the move could, as many in the BJP say, help the saffron party make substantial in-roads in the significant vote-bank of Muslim women who have been adversely affected by the “unislamic” practice for decades.

The BJP and Narendra Modi in particular strongly backed demands for declaring instant triple talaq as unconstitutional when the matter was being heard by the Supreme Court. This stand, BJP insiders believe, had helped the party make significant electoral gains among Muslim women in Uttar Pradesh which went to polls early this year and ended with a wave in favour of the saffron party. The BJP clearly hopes that by making the practice illegal by way of a legislation, it could further consolidate its base among Muslim women, especially since successive Congress-led ‘secular’ governments never cared to address the grievances related to talaq-ul-biddat.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

Published

on

India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

Continue Reading

India News

Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

Published

on

Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

Continue Reading

India News

Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case

Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.

Published

on

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.

Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning

In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.

They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.

The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.

Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August

The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.

The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.

The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com