Par approves Triple talaq bill after govt clears RS hurdle

In a big victory, the Modi Government on Tuesday secured Rajya Sabha's clearance for the landmark triple talaq bill helped by support from the BJD, walkout by BJP allies JD-U and AIADMK and some abstentions to get Parliament's approval for the contentious legislation.

The passage of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill that makes instant triple talaq among Muslims a criminal offence with 99 votes in favour and 84 against was a major legislative success for the BJP-led NDA in the opposition-dominated Upper House where it lacks majority. The bill failed to pass the Rajya Sabha hurdle early this year during the first term of the Modi government though it was approved by the Lok Sabha.

The government had succeeded in getting the House approval last week for another contentious measure--the Right to Information(Amendment) Bill.

The ruling alliance was helped by the absence of some members of the opposition Congress, SP and BSP as well as six members of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and two MPs of the YSR-Congress.

Lok Sabha had passed the Bill last week and once it gets Presidential assent the practice of Muslim men instantly divorcing their wives by uttering 'talaq' thrice will become a criminal offence, punishable by a jail term of up to three years.

The bill will replace an ordinance promulgated on February 21.

The Rajya Sabha also rejected an opposition sponsored motions to send the bill to a Select Committee of the House and for making triple talaq a civil offence with 100 votes against it as compared to 84 in favour.

Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP hailed the passage of the bill.

Modi said a historic wrong done to Muslim women has been corrected and an "archaic and medieval practice" confined to the dustbin of history while Home Minister and BJP chief Amit Shah asserted that the legislation will free Muslim women from the "curse of this regressive practice".

India rejoices today, Modi said in tweets minutes after Rajya Sabha passed the bill