Union Cabinet clears ordinance to make triple talaq a penal offence

The Union Cabinet is learnt to have cleared an ordinance to make the practice of instant triple talaq a penal offence, Law Ministry sources said Wednesday.

The 'Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill' was cleared by the Lok Sabha and is pending in the Rajya Sabha, where the government lacks numbers.

The Supreme Court last year banned the practice. But the Modi Government claimed that since the practice was still prevalent, a bill was brought to make it a penal offence.

Many in the Muslim community perceive the ordinance as a BJP poll gimmick, aimed at communal polarisation ahead of general elections. “The supporters of the ruling government are considering the upcoming ordinance as a masterstroke of the government, while the minority community is shocked and disappointed with this entire process”, wrote Tanweer Ahmed in May.

With PTI inputs

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