Congress agrees to back bill, with a rider

New Delhi: Congress Mahila wing chief Ms Sushmita Dev on Sunday said that the Congress is not opposed to the Triple talaq bill which is pending in the Rajya Sabha if the Centre includes a provision of alimony.

She said, “We were never against the instant triple talaq bill. But the bill, in its present form, would be harmful to the interests of the Muslim women. It should have a provision of alimony for the victim.”

Ms Dev alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party government was trying to strike a quid pro quo with the passing of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill and the women’s reservation bill.

Last Monday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to ensure the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

A day later, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad responded to the letter with a “new deal” of equality and adequate representation by joining hands to pass the bills on women’s reservation, instant triple talaq and nikah halala.

Ms. Dev said, “We were never against the instant triple talaq bill. But the bill, in its present form, would be harmful to the interests of the Muslim women. It should have a provision of alimony for the victim.”

She further added, “I tabled an amendment in the Lok Sabha for the provision of alimony in the bill, but it did not get passed. If the amendment is accepted, then we would definitely support the bill.”  Questioning the government the Mahila Congress Chief said the aim of the bill was to ensure justice for the Muslim women and end the practice of instant triple talaq. “But what will happen to the livelihood of the women if their husbands go to jail?”

The government is keen to pass the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill in the ongoing monsoon session of the Parliament. The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, but is pending in the Rajya Sabha.