New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an ordinance making triple talaq a punishable offence, said Ravi Shankar Prasad, minister for law and justice, IT.
He said that inspite of the Supreme Court annulling it last year, the practice continued “unabated”.
Addressing a press conference, the Union minister accused the Congress of not cooperating in the passage of the ‘Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill.
Describing the practice as “barbaric and inhuman”, he said nearly 22 countries have regulated triple talaq. However, gender justice was given a complete go-by in a secular country like India because of blatant vote bank politics.
“I will again appeal to Sonia ji that this ordinance has been brought in the interest of the country to bring gender justice. I appeal to you to rise above vote bank politics and help pass it in the interest of justice for women,” he told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
The move comes after the government had failed to pass it through both houses of Parliament. The move is being viewed as a big win for the rights of Muslim women.