Intense debate in LS over triple talaq bill

The Lok Sabha on Thursday witnessed an intense debate over the triple talaq bill with the opposition charging the government of targeting one community with the proposed legislation and the government asserting the draft law is meant for gender justice.

The Congress and other opposition parties demanded the bill be sent to the Standing Committee for review, saying it targets Muslim community of the country.

The BJP, which had issued a whip to its MPs to ensure maximum strength in the House, had fielded its women members -- Meenakshi lekhi, Poonam Mahajan, Aparajita Sarangi, to participate in the debate.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019, seeks to criminalise instant triple talaq.

Opposing the bill, Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) said there are nine types of talaqs in Islam.

Owaisi asked if the husband is jailed, as the bill proposes, then how will he be able to pay the maintainance to his wife while sitting in the jail.

"You want to destroy the institution of marriage and bring the women on the road," he said.

Owaisi said when the Supreme Court has banned instant triple talaq then why does the government want to jail Muslim man.

In a ligher vein, he said, "We Muslims marry for one life, not for ever and ever."