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Modi government introduces Triple talaq Bill in Lok Sabha amid crticitism

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7 years ago

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Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Modi government introduced a fresh bill to ban the practice of instant triple talaq in the Lok Sabha today (Friday, June 21) as the previous Bill got stalled in Rajya Sabha and lapsed with the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019, will replace an ordinance issued in February by the previous BJP-led NDA government. In absence of legislation, the government had brought in the Ordinance to make instant “triple talaq” illegal, which was renewed twice. The new bill is a copy of the ordinance.

Opposition members demanded that the Bill should not be introduced before wider consultation involving parties from the other side of the treasury bench. In the view of opposition, Speaker Om Birla called for a voice vote and ruled that the Bill could be introduced in the Lok Sabha. But then the Opposition members insisted on division of votes. The Bill was finally tabled in the Lok Sabha with 186 votes in favour and 78 against introduction of the legislation.

The main objection of the Opposition is to the provision in the Bill to make the practice of instant triple talaq (talaq-e-biddat) a penal offence. They argued that jail term for a man for divorcing his wife was legally untenable. Under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Ordinance, 2019, divorcing through instant triple talaq is illegal, void and will attract a jail term of three years for the husband.

Marriage or divorce is a civil matter and their objection is to bringing in criminal provisions.

The government has included certain safeguards in it such as adding a provision for bail for the accused during trial so that the proposed law could not be misused.

The government countered the opposition’s claim that it was a “discriminatory” bill by pointing out that the Supreme Court’s order banning the controversial Islamic practice needs to be followed up with a strong law. “…There have been triple talaqs since 2017 even after the judgement. What should the women do? Hang the judgement on the wall?” Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said after introducing the bill in the Lok Sabha.

Union Law & Justice Minister & BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, after Triple Talaq Bill 2019 introduced in Lok Sabha, said: “It is the work of Parliament to enact a law. The interpretation of the law should be left to the courts.”

“People have chosen us to make laws. It is our work to make laws. Law is to give justice to the victims of triple talaq,” he said.

He added that the Bill will protect the rights of Muslim women. “It is about justice & empowerment of women,” he said, reported news agency ANI. “This issue is not related to religion or prayer or class but of justice for women, of a woman’s dignity”, he said.

Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM lawmaker, opposed the triple talaq bill, calling it discriminatory. Besides, he asked, if the husband is jailed (under the provisions of the law), who will pay maintenance to the woman.

Owaisi also took a dig at the BJP, saying the party has so much affection for Muslim women but is opposed to rights of Hindu women to enter Kerala’s Sabarimala Temple in Kerala. He went on to say that the bill violates constitutional rights as it stipulates three-year jail term for Muslim men while non-Muslim men get only one year of jail term for a similar offence, he said.

Soon after the minister tabled the bill, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, stood up to speak on the issue and listed the reasons for his opposition to the bill.

Tharoor who said even as he is against instant talaq, he is opposed to considering a civil offence as a criminal offence. He suggested the scope of the Bill should be extended to women of all communities.

Terming the bill a “class legislation”, Tharoor said abandoning of women by their husbands is not unique to Muslim community and is equally prevalent among other communities. So, why not make a universal law to provide protection to all women, he argued.

“Men from other religions also desert their wives,” Tharoor said. “There is no procedural safeguards in the bill, refer it to a standing committee… it is a discriminatory bill. The bill does nothing to improve the status of Muslim women,” he said.

Only 187 members were present to vote in the Lok Sabha and many absentees were from the treasury benches, said a NDTV report. Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, which didn’t want to be seen as opposing the bill, abstained from voting. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSR Congress Party also abstained. Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal United, an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has said the party will not back the “triple talaq” bill. Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal is not keen on supporting the bill.

Most opposition parties, including the Congress, were opposed to stringent provisions like jail term for the husband. They contended that a penal provision cannot be introduced in a domestic issue that’s essentially civil in nature and that the bill, in its current form, would end up victimising the Muslims.

The government argues that the bill would stop victimisation of the women, and give them equal rights. The proposed law is based on gender equality and is part of the government’s philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas,” Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said last week.

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BJP seals Assam seat-sharing pact, Modi to hold 3 rallies in April

BJP has finalised its Assam seat-sharing plan with allies and is gearing up for an intense campaign led by PM Modi and Amit Shah.

Published

1 day ago

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March 18, 2026

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pm modi

The Bharatiya Janata Party has finalised its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, firming up its strategy alongside National Democratic Alliance partners as campaigning gathers pace in the state.

Under the agreement, the BJP will contest 89 seats, while its allies — Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front — will field candidates in 26 and 11 constituencies respectively. The distribution has been decided after internal deliberations, with the focus now shifting to candidate announcements and campaign execution.

Campaign push led by top leadership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address three rallies in Assam during the final leg of the campaign. Tentative dates for the rallies are April 1, April 3 and April 6, with events likely to be held in key constituencies.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also set to spearhead an extensive campaign across the state through March, aiming to energise party workers and strengthen voter outreach.

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The party’s Central Election Committee is currently meeting to finalise candidates. Sources indicate that approvals for most constituencies are expected soon, and the BJP may release its complete list of candidates within the next two days.

Ticket distribution remains a crucial exercise, with internal discussions highlighting its potential impact on local political dynamics. Party leaders have also touched upon the proposed delimitation exercise scheduled for 2027, which is expected to have long-term implications for Assam’s electoral landscape.

Polling and counting dates

Voting for all 126 Assembly seats in Assam is scheduled for April 9, while the votes will be counted on May 4.

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Mamata Banerjee warns BJP, EC over Bengal polls, says they will be accountable

Mamata Banerjee holds BJP and Election Commission responsible for any incidents during Bengal polls, raising concerns over officer transfers.

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2 days ago

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March 17, 2026

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has held the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India responsible for any untoward incidents in the state during the upcoming assembly elections, following the transfer of key officials.

Addressing concerns over administrative reshuffles, Banerjee said that changes involving senior bureaucrats, including the chief secretary and home secretary, could affect governance and law and order in the state during a crucial period.

The Trinamool Congress chief also announced candidates for 291 constituencies for the elections scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and 29.

Criticising the Election Commission, Banerjee alleged that the transfers were being carried out in a manner that benefits the BJP. She questioned the timing of the decisions and said such actions weaken the state administration at a sensitive time.

She further raised concerns about disaster management and essential services, stating that experienced officials familiar with the state’s situation have been replaced. According to her, this could impact administrative efficiency if any emergency arises before the new government is formed.

Protecting Bengal’s identity

Banerjee emphasised that the election is not merely about forming a government but about safeguarding Bengal’s identity and existence. She accused the BJP of misusing central agencies and attempting to influence the electoral process.

She urged that elections should be conducted peacefully, without external interference, and in line with democratic principles. The chief minister also expressed confidence that her party would return to power with a stronger mandate.

Appealing to voters, she called for support for the Trinamool Congress, asserting that the people of Bengal will ultimately decide the outcome and protect their democratic rights.

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Mamata Banerjee writes to poll chief over officers’ reshuffle, calls move arbitrary

Mamata Banerjee has written to the Chief Election Commissioner, calling the reshuffle of senior Bengal officials arbitrary and raising concerns over constitutional norms.

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2 days ago

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March 17, 2026

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mamta banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising strong objections to the recent reshuffle of senior bureaucrats in the state ahead of the assembly elections.

In her letter, Banerjee described the move by the Election Commission of India as “arbitrary” and expressed “deep concern” over what she termed a unilateral decision. She urged the Commission to refrain from adopting such measures in the future.

The Chief Minister pointed out that while the Election Commission does have the authority to make administrative changes during elections, past practice has involved consultation with the state government. According to her, the Commission would typically seek a panel of officers from the state and make its selections from that list, maintaining what she called constitutional propriety and administrative convention.

Banerjee warned that bypassing this process could undermine the institutional credibility and long-standing legacy of the poll body, and may also affect the foundational principles of the constitutional framework.

The controversy stems from the Commission’s decision, taken soon after announcing election dates, to remove several top officials from election-related duties. These include the state’s Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Kolkata Police Commissioner, and Home Secretary.

The Commission has maintained that the reshuffle was aimed at ensuring a peaceful and violence-free electoral process.

Reacting sharply, Banerjee alleged bias in the decision-making, claiming that the removal of the Chief Secretary indicated an anti-women stance. She also accused the Commission of selectively targeting officers, suggesting that the move favoured individuals aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress escalated its protest, staging a day-long walkout from the Rajya Sabha earlier in the day.

Responding to the criticism, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Election Commission is a constitutional authority, adding that questioning its decisions in Parliament is inappropriate and unproductive.

The Commission has appointed a new Chief Secretary in place of the outgoing official as part of the reshuffle.

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