Government open to 'constructive suggestions on triple talaq Bill: Minister

Government open to 'constructive suggestions on triple talaq Bill: Minister

New Delhi: Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Ravi Shankar Prasad address a press conference in New Delhi, on Jan 2, 2019. (Photo: IANS)

New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS) Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday said the government was receptive about any "constructive" suggestions by the Opposition on the triple talaq Bill.

His response came in response to IANS query as to why the government was not accepting the Opposition demand to refer the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018 to a select committee of Parliament for scrutiny.

"Our decision will be decided on the floor of the House when I speak there. We have already improved a lot of things. A Select committee is important, but the plight of victim women is equally important. I would appeal to the MPs to listen to their plight," Prasad said.

"We have no ego in...But the thing is that whatever is needed to be improved has been done. If they (Opposition) have a constructive suggestion, they can give us. We are open to consider them. But they did not give any suggestion in the Lok Sabha," he added.

During the discussion on the Bill in Lok Sabha, the Opposition, and even the fence sitters such as the AIADMK and BJD, unanimously demanded that the Bill be referred to a joint committee for scrutiny.

The government did not yield to the demand and got the Bill passed after a four-hour debate.

When the Bill came up for discussion and passage in Rajya Sabha on December 31, the Opposition pressed for voting on the Bill whether it should be sent to a select committee of the House. The voting could not take place due to din and subsequent adjournment.

Slamming the Congress, Prasad said: "From Shah Bano to Shayara Bano, the Congress party's attitude has been the same. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi is a woman herself. I would appeal the party should think of the victim women."

--IANS

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