Triple Talaq Bill to face Parliament test on December 27
What's the story
The BJP has issued a three-line whip to all its MPs asking them to be present in Parliament on Thursday, December 27, as the party hopes to pass the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018, famously called the Triple Talaq Bill. The bill, tabled last week, criminalizes instant divorce in Muslim community and underlines that the guilty should get three years in prison.
Looking back
Backstory: Understanding what has happened till now
In December 2017, the Centre managed to pass a bill which made instant Triple Talaq a punishable, cognizable and a non-bailable offense. However, it could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha. As a result in September 2018, the government issued an ordinance or executive order to criminalize the practice. In an attempt to soften the law, the new bill allows bail to accused.
Plans
Before general elections, NDA hopes to pass the bill
The NDA's plans pertaining to the bill were revealed by Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. The Centre hopes to pass the bill in the ongoing session, which is the last winter session before India goes to vote in 2019. The bill was moved in the Lower House by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, amid huge uproar by Congress and other opposition parties.
Opposition
Earlier, Shashi Tharoor spoke against the bill
The question is - will the bill pass the crucial Lok Sabha test tomorrow, especially when the Opposition has clarified its thoughts on it? Last week, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said the bill had 'no procedural safeguards to prevent its misuse'. He added the bill combined civil and criminal laws and criminalized an act which was already legally void. Notably, the Supreme Court made instant Triple Talaq unconstitutional in August 2017.
Possibilities
Centre wants Triple Talaq Bill passed, Opposition focusing on Rafale
In all likeliness, the Centre will face another problem when the Parliament resumes tomorrow. The Congress, with all its 47 members, will needle the issue of Rafale deal and push for an investigation by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). While a Congress functionary said no whip has been issued to party MPs, the opposition parties could ask all its parliamentarians to show up.