Tripal Talaq Bill unlikely to pass in the current session 

New Delhi: The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2019, commonly known as the Triple Talaq Bill, that was introduced in the Lok Sabha in the ongoing monsoon session amid opposition from parties, may not pass through the Rajya Sabha. The government seems to have understood the difficulty behind passing the bill into law.

According to media reports, a senior BJP leader has confirmed that it is unlikely that the bill will come up for passage in the current session as it is not included in the list of business on its agenda. Government sources also have confirmed that the bill is not on its top priority list. The bill will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha only after the government ensures required support for the passage of the bill in the Rajya Sabha, said the sources.

The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in the last month and won 186 votes supporting and 74 votes opposing the bill in response. However, parties such as Janata Dal (United), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Yuvajana Sramika Rythu (YSR) Congress are expected to oppose the bill in the Rajya Sabha.

The government may need to re-issue the ordinance, Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2019 that is already in place, if the bill does not get passed by both the houses in the current session. Media reports quoting a government source said, “The government may choose to re-issue the ordinance if the uncertainty continues about it clearing the Upper House.”

In 2017, the law ministry drafted the bill to make the practice of instant triple talaq a criminal offence punishable with a three-year jail term. However, the bill was opposed in the Rajya Sabha and failed to get passed.

The Triple Talaq Bill stipulates three-year jail term for men found guilty for instant triple talaq under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2019.  Till date, the initiative has received mixed responses from the political parties as well as from the people of the country.

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