Triple Talaq Bill to be tabled in Rajya Sabha tomorrow; government, opposition face-off likely

Under the law, instant triple talaq in any form --spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp -- would be illegal and void.

The government and the opposition are likely to lock horns on Wednesday when a landmark bill that criminalises instant triple talaq among Muslims, already passed by the Lok Sabha, is tabled in the Rajya Sabha. The bill is listed for introduction in the Upper House of Parliament by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has claimed that various Muslim bodies in the country would move the Supreme Court if the bill is also passed by the Rajya Sabha.

Meanwhile, the government, which lacks a majority in the Rajya Sabha is leaving no stone unturned for smooth passage of the bill.

The bill, which makes instant triple illegal with up to three years in jail for the husband, was passed by the Lok Sabha last week.

It gives power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking "subsistence allowance" for herself and minor children in the case of instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat.

A victim can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate.