New Delhi, Dec 15 (UNI) The Union Cabinet on Friday approved the much talked about Muslim
Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 that seeks to provide punishment for instant Triple Talaq and gives victims the right to seek maintenance from their former spouses.
"I cannot give you the details of the Bill, which was approved by the Cabinet, as Parliament is in session," Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters here.
Answering questions, the Minister, however, said, "Only one thing I can add, this Bill is important
for protecting and safeguarding the interest of Muslim women and it can shield helpless victims
from the practice of Triple Talaq".
According to sources, the bill will give women the right to seek maintenance in case of Triple Talaq.
The Supreme Court in a 3:2 judgementin August had banned Triple Talaq, saying that it violated the fundamental rights of Muslim women.
'Triple Talaq' is orgal divorce given in one go, a practice which has been much in public debate for quite sometime as the BJP-led Modi government wanted to bring necessary changes in the law to divest hisbands of this discriminatory power.
The apex court ruling, which was given by a panel of five judges from different major faiths – Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism, came on a bunch of petitions by Muslim women challenging the practice.
The government had last month said that it would bring in a law to give effect to the apex court judgement as the ill practice was still continuing despite the court ruling.
BJP sources have said earlier that steps would taken to ensure that the new law gives opportunities and right to the victims (Muslim women) to approach a magistrate seeking subsistence or maintenance allowance for herself and minor children.
The draft law is understood to have provided punishment including jail term for violators. The proposed law would be applicable only in case on instant triple talaq or 'talaq-e-biddat', the
Law Minister clarified.
UNI DEVN NAZ 1813 HRS