India rejoices, medieval practice confined to dustbin of history — Modi on triple talaq bill passage

New Delhi, July 30 (PTI): Hailing the passage of the triple talaq bill by Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that a historic wrong done to Muslim women has been corrected and an “archaic and medieval practice” confined to the dustbin of history. India rejoices today, he said in tweets minutes after Rajya Sabha passed the bill. Lok Sabha had passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 last week. Modi said this is a victory of gender justice and will further equality in society, as he expressed his thanks to all parties and MPs who supported its passage. These parties and MPs have risen to the occasion and this step of theirs will forever be remembered in India’s history, he said. “An archaic and medieval practice has finally been confined to the dustbin of history! Parliament abolishes Triple Talaq and corrects a historical wrong done to Muslim women. This is a victory of gender justice and will further equality in society. India rejoices today!” the prime minister said. This is an occasion to salute the remarkable courage of those Muslim women who have suffered great wrongs just due to the practice of triple talaq, he said, adding that the abolition of the practice will contribute to women empowerment and give women the dignity they deserve in our society. Cong. questions relevance of triple talaq bill The Congress on Tuesday said there was no need to criminalise the practice of triple talaq which had been struck down by the Supreme Court. Parliament 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. 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. “We had fundamentally supported this bill. We also wanted amendment for the provision of support to Muslim women. Our opposition was on two-three issues. The Supreme Court had struck down triple talaq, you had also struck down triple talaq through law, then what is the need to criminalise an imaginary thing,” senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.