Fate of bill to make divorce easier hangs in balance

Minister for Law and Justice Salman Khurshid, after initially seeking to refer the Bill to a Select Committee, sought time to respond to the suggestions raised by members during discussion on the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010, thus putting a question mark on its fate.

The bill seeks to further amend the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and the Special Marriage Act, 1954.

Cutting across party lines, various members felt that the the Bill was being brought in haste and felt its spirit went against the interests of women and feared that they would lose their rights further if divorce was made easier.

Opposition parties including BJP, SP, BSP, BJD, CPI and CPI-M besides a Congress member opposed the bill and sought not to "reduce cooling off period" for couples to end their marriage through divorce.

Khurshid said that a discussion with Leader of the Opposition was on for bringing amendments in the bill, even as members insisted that the discussion be completed first and leaders of various parties be consulted. (MORE) PTI SKC LUX AJD NAM AMR

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