Committed to bringing in triple talaq law, some people stalling it: PM

New Delhi, August 15

The government is committed to bringing in a law banning the practice of instant triple talaq, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday even as he blamed “some people” for stalling its passage in Parliament.

In his Independence Day address here, he underlined his commitment to the passage of the instant triple talaq legislation in Parliament.

He blamed “some people”, an apparent reference to opposition parties like the Congress, for stalling its passage in the recent Monsoon Session.

The bill criminalises the practice of instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat and seeks prison term of up to three years for the men.

He said the government had once again pushed for the passage of the bill in the Monsoon Session.

“The practice of triple talaq has created problems in life of Muslim women...we brought law in Parliament, but some people are not letting it pass. I assure you that you would not be let down. I will do all it needs (to bring the law),” he said.

While the bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha, it is pending in the Rajya Sabha where the government lacks numbers.

To make the proposed law palatable to the opposition, a provision of bail for the accused from a magistrate has been added. Also, the amendments to the bill cleared by the Union Cabinet last week make provision for settlement between the husband and wife.

The FIR can now be lodged only by the victim, her blood relations and those who have become her relatives by virtue of her marriage. Others, like neighbours, cannot lodge an FIR to prevent misuse of the proposed law. PTI