'Matter Of Gender Justice, Dignity And Equality': RS Prasad Tables Triple Talaq Bill In Rajya Sabha

The bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha by a voice vote amidst a walkout by Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, DMK and others.

The ruling BJP has issued a whip to its MPs, asking them to ensure their presence in the House.

New Delhi: The government, who had listed the contentious triple talaq bill for consideration, tabled the bill in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. While introducing the bill, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "this is a matter of gender justice, dignity and equality."

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tables Triple Talaq bill in Rajya Sabha.

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The bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha by a voice vote amidst a walkout by Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, DMK and others. The bill was passed by the 16th Lok Sabha but could not pass the Rajya Sabha hurdle. Unlike lower house, where the BJP-led NDA enjoys strong majority, the ruling alliance will face an uphill task in Rajya Sabha where opposition parties have numerical advantage over the treasury benches. The ruling BJP had issued a whip to its MPs, asking them to ensure their presence in the House. The bill, which criminalises instant divorce by Muslim men and seeks jail term for the guilty, was the first draft legislation tabled by the Narendra Modi government in this first session after it took oath of office for a second term in May. Several opposition parties have bitterly opposed it but the government has asserted that the bill is a step towards gender equality and justice. Parties like the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the DMK have demanded that it be sent to a parliamentary committee for scrutiny. Some of the BJP's allies, including the JD(U), have also expressed their reservation about the bill. (agency inputs) ALSO WATCH: Ravi Shankar Prasad Tables Triple Talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha