New Delhi, Jan 3 (UNI) The central government on Wednesday squarely blamed the Congress
party for its "hypocrisy" on Triple Talaq Bill and for wasting a golden opportunity to end
injustice against Muslim women.
"Today was a golden moment for the House to end the injustice, but because of
Congress it could not happen," Finance Minister and Leader of the Rajya Sabha Arun
Jaitley told reporters minutes after the proceedings were stalled without taking
the much talked about Triple Talaq Bill.
Mr Jaitley, who critised Congress conduct in the House, further said, it is clear that
the Congress Party is (now) opposing the Triple Talaq Bill.
"The support they extended in Lok Sabha was a sham," he alleged.
The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriages) Bill 2017 that envisages
to bring the practice of Triple Talaq within the ambit of criminal offence was passed by Lok
Sabha on December 28.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Bill was stalled in Rajya Sabha as Congress
members insisted to refer it to a Select Committee, the government said it would still
push for it during the two remaining days of the winter session of Parliament.
"The Congress party's double standard stands exposed....They could not stall it in
Lok Sabha because we have numbers. Now they are opposing it in Rajya Sabha,"
Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters here shortly after the Rajya
Sabha was adjourned.
The government sources said it will try to push the Bill during two last days of winter
session.
"I am sorry to say ....it is a delaying tactics," Mr Prasad said.
Moreover, Mr Prasad said there is an urgency in the matter as despite Supreme Court
order, several Muslim women were still falling 'victims' of Triple Talaq especially in
Uttar Pradesh.
However, Congress leaders Kapil Sibal and Ranjeet Ranjan justified Congress stance
in the Upper House saying the issues raised by Congress party on the Bill needs
adequate deliberations.
"Even in Lok Sabha, we said the bill should be debated properly," Lok Sabha MP
Ms Ranjeet Ranjan said adding, "We are supporting the bill in both Lok Sabha
and Rajya Sabha. But we want it sent to a Select Committee".
UNI DEVN SHK 2000