<i>Maine joke kiya?</i>

A discussion of a serious issue like the Marriage Laws Amendment Bill gave rise to much facetious mirth in the Upper House of Parliament. When Congress MP Shadi Lal Batra, rose to speak on the issue, a senior member pointed out that it was quite apt that “Shadi” Lal ji was addressing the house on the issue, punning on his first name. BJD member Baishnab Parida even went on to quote prominent Hindi movie titles, underlining the elation before marriage and the depression after marriage. (Maine Pyar Kiya in contrast to Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya.) It was left to women MPs Jaya Bachchan of the SP and DMK’s Kanimozhi to raise the more pertinent points on how the Bill would impact women as far as alimony, maintenance and custody of children are concerned.