Parliament passes Triple Talaq Bill: Zeenat Shaukat Ali calls it a huge victory for India

Parliament on Tuesday approved the bill that makes instant triple talaq a criminal offence, after the contentious legislation was passed by Rajya Sabha following non-aligned BJD extending support and NDA constituents JD-U and AIADMK walking out.

READ | Rajya Sabha Passes Triple Talaq Bill By 99-84 Vote Margin As Opposition's Resistance Crumbles

Lok Sabha had passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill last week and with Rajya Sabha now approving it, the practice of instant divorce by Muslim men will be punishable by jail term of up to three years. The Upper House passed the bill by 99 votes in favour and 84 against it.

It earlier rejected an opposition sponsored motion to send the bill to a Rajya Sabha Select Committee with 100 votes against it as compared to 84 in favour.

Reacting on the same, Zeenat Shaukat Ali, Director General, World Institute of Islamic Studies for Dialogue, Peace and Gender Justice, in an exclusive interaction with Republic TV said: "I think it's path breaking. It's a huge. Huge victory for our liberal, secular, republic, democratic country like India now atlast has been to give justice to Muslim women. A wrong that was practiced in the name of Islam. Congratulations to the ruling party under Modi governance that fought tooth and nail for this. Congratulate our Law Minister who has made a huge study on this subject and made a terrific presentation. It's been a war 1984 and now it's a victory."

Social activist Shaista Amber, in an exclusive interaction with Republic TV also expressed her joy and said: "Congratulations and meri dua hai... bohot bade number se is bill ko paas kiya gaya hai. And those who haven't voted for it, I want to thank them too. Marriages secure rahein, khushaal rahe, desh ke saath tarakki karein, ye hi umeed karte hain."

Replying to a four-and-half-hour debate on the Bill, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad cited jail provisions in the legislations that ban dowry and multiple marriages by Hindu men to justify the three-year jail term for Muslim men practices triple talaq.

READ | Parliament Passes Triple Talaq Bill: Ravi Shankar Prasad Hails Historic Win For Muslim Women, BJP Leaders Join In

(With inputs from PTI)