Opposing the contentious triple talaq bill, parties like Congress, TMC, SP, AIADMK and DMK on Tuesday demanded in Rajya Sabha that the proposed legislation be sent to select committee for further scrutiny.
Most of the opposition members objected to the provision of criminalising instant triple talaq.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad moved the bill in Rajya Sabha, saying it has been brought to ensure justice for Muslim women and should not be seen through a political prism.
Urging members to approve 'The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019', he said the practise of triple talaq is continuing despite the Supreme Court banning the same through its judgement.
The Bill has been passed by Lok Sabha last week.
Participating in the debate, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad alleged that the bill is politically motivated and the real objective behind bringing the Bill was destruction of Muslim families.
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He claimed that the objections raised by him have not been addressed and instead the government has done "cosmetic surgery".
Azad observed that marriage is a civil contract in Islam and it is being given a criminal face through the proposed legislation.
He sought to know if the government will provide sustenance allowance to women whose husbands are lodged in prison for Triple Talaq during the three-year period.
The Congress leader claimed that Talaq could be uttered thrice in anger like a curse, and may not be actually executed, and therefore, men cannot be punished for it.
Triple Talaq according to Supreme Court is null and void, Azad said, wondering how Muslim men after staying in jail for three years will go home and live peacefully with their wives.
Accusing the government of being selective in honouring Supreme Court order, Azad asked Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad if he would implement all the minority judgements given by the apex court since 1947.
He said it will lead to discord in Muslim families and society and if the government wants to listen to the Supreme Court, it should also bring a law on lynching and not resort to selective implementation.
Opposing the Bill, he said a law should not be made to "finish one particular religion" and claimed that the "cat has come out of the bag", demanding that it be sent to Select Committee, which will see what has to be retained in the Bill.
He said the government should not target one section by framing an "unconstitutional" law but instead provide 33 per cent reservation to women for their empowerment, the way Congress government had earlier brought in reservation for women in panchayats, corporations and local bodies.
Azad also accused the government of "double speak" and said empowerment is needed not only for Muslim women but also for Hindu, Christian and Jain women.
He demanded that the bill should be sent to a select committee.
TMC member Dola Sen raised the same demand.
"Both Houses have passed 16 bills together in the current session and only one has been sent to select committee. Earlier Lok Sabha sent 60 to 70 per cent bills to select or standing committee for scrutiny," he said.
She said, "Just because an ordinance (to ban instant triple talaq) has been brought, it does not mean that it has been scrutinised... We have not become Presidential form of government or dictatorship... till that happens, let's function as Parliamentary democracy."
Elaborating on why the bill should be sent to select committee, she explained, "The husband can be jailed for three years under the bill. Will that mean that women would not be allowed to marry for three years. How the maintenance will be paid."
RJD member Manoj Jha claimed the bill is a "violent tampering with the Article 14 of the Constitution (equality before law). You want to demonise Muslim men. Don't get the bill passed by managed majority."
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