Triple talaq ordinance: Left parties to corner govt in Parliament

Ravi S.Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi,  September 20

The Left parties on Thursday  gave a strong indication that the Opposition will take on the Narendra Modi government in Parliament when the ordinance making triple talaq  an offence comes up before it for ratification during the Winter Session.

The promulgation of the ordinance has come as a red rag for the Left parties on ground that the related Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, was still under the consideration of Parliament.

In the Budget Session this year, the bill was passed by Lok Sabha, but could not be sail through in Rajya Sabha as the opposition parties stalled it. The opposition parties rooted for wider consultations on the bill, and had questioned the government's alleged rush in the matter.

President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent to the ordinance yesterday evening after Union Cabinet cleared it.

With the ordinance coming into effect, a person accused of giving triple talaq (summary divorce) to his wife by uttering the word "talaq" thrice will be liable to three years of jail imprisonment, and fine can also be imposed on him.

The  CPI (M) said  the ordinance was "uncalled for and is motive by consideration other than that of the welfare of Muslim women". 

"The triple talaq bill is pending in the Rajya Sabha and requires a full discussion, including reference to a Select Committee. The ordinance is an undemocratic step bypassing Parliament."

"This ordinance is designed to serve the political interests of the ruling party and cannot be accepted. Parliament should adopt a revised legislation in this regard," it added.

On the other hand, the CPI said the ordinance was to communally polarise the polity before the 2019 general elections and cautioned that it will have to be placed before Parliament and Rajya Sabha for approval.