Why in news
- The government introduced The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019.
- It is also known as the triple ‘talaq’ Bill.
More in news
- The government had promulgated the ordinance on triple ‘talaq’ twice ”” in September 2018 and in February 2019
- The Bill remained pending in the Rajya Sabha, though it was passed by the Lok Sabha.
Governments View
- Govt asserted that the legislation was about gender justice and equality. The bill was not about religion but a “question of dignity of women and Govt is committed to safeguard it”.
- There were 543 cases of triple ‘talaq’ reported in the country.
- Even after the Supreme Court judgement banning the practice, more than 200 cases were reported.
Why Opposition to the Bill
- The Bill conflates civil and criminal law.
- The Bill represents “textbook example of class legislation” as it was pointed at one community ”” Muslims ”” even though abandoning wives was not unique to it.
- The Bill violated constitutional rights as it stipulated a three-year jail term for Muslim men, whereas a similar offence by non-Muslim men attracted only a year of jail term.
- Jail term for a man for divorcing his wife was legally untenable.