Parliament Highlights: Right to Information (Amendment) Bill passed by Rajya Sabha
The Lok Sabha passed the bill to criminalise instant triple talaq, (The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2019) today. In the Rajya Sabha, the lawmakers passed Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, which the Congress and other opposition parties opposed.Yesterday, the Lok Sabha had passed the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 and the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill 2019. The Opposition had, however, walked out when Union Home Minister Amit Shah was reading out details of amendments proposed to the country’s anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.Read highlights here:
Govt pushes RTI amendment bill through in Rajya Sabha
The government pushed through a set of changes to the right to information act in Rajya Sabha today.
Congress walks out of Rajya Sabha over RTI amendment bill
Congress has walked out of the Rajya Sabha over RTI amendment bills.
06:55 PM ISTVoting underway in Rajya Sabha for RTI amendment bill
Voting is underway in Rajya Sabha for introducing amendments to right to information.
06:39 PM ISTTriple talaq bill passed in Lok Sabha
The bill to criminalise triple talaq has been passed in Lok Sabha.
06:15 PM ISTVoting underway in Lok Sabha on triple talaq bill
Voting is underway in Lok Sabha on triple talaq bill.
06:07 PM ISTTNC MPs walk out of Lok Sabha in protest against triple talaq
Trinamool Congress MPs have walked out of Lok Sabha in protest against triple talaq. :ANI
06:05 PM IST‘SC held triple talaq unconstitutional, why bring about an act to criminalise it?: Shashi Tharoor
“Why is the law penalising only men of one community for abandoning their wives? Also, when the Supreme Court has already said that the Triple Talaq is unconstitutional, why bring about an act to criminalise it?’ says Shashi Tharoor.
05:55 PM IST‘We need to be deterrent if we want to implement any law’: Ravi Shankar Prasad
“We need to be deterrent if we want to implement any law. Today, our Muslim daughters and sisters expect something good out of this discussion, so let us not look at the issue through a political lens,” says Ravi Shankar Prasad.
05:41 PM IST‘Scope for compromise should be there, we have a provision in the bill for that?’: Ravi Shankar Prasad
“An IT professional came up to me and told me that I am a mother of three, and my husband gave me talaq over WhatsApp. Should helpless women like her be left abandoned on the road? However, there should be a scope for compromise also, and we have a provision for that, ” says Ravi Shankar Prasad.
05:32 PM IST‘Why is Congress so uncertain about passing this bill?’: Ravi Shankar Prasad
“Why are we having such a long discussion over this bill? Because some people present in the House have a huge problem with the bill. There were many acts that were passed under the Congress government, such as the Hindu Marriage act. Why is Congress so uncertain over this bill then? If triple talaq can be criminalised in so many other Islamic countries, why can a secular country like ours not pass this bill?” says Ravi Shankar Prasad.
05:25 PM IST‘The bill in question is highly discriminatory’: INC’s S Jothimani
“I have to express my reservations about the bill. Why is there discrimination between Muslim and non-Muslim women? There is a particular reality that every woman is facing, but you are not taking that reality into account. This bill is discriminatory,” says INC’s S Jothimani.
05:10 PM IST‘Talaq discouraged in Islam’: INC’s Abdul Khaleque
“Talaq is not encouraged in Islam. We have objection over Section 4 of this bill. If a non-Muslim gives divorce, he will not be punished but a Muslim will be. If we really want women empowerment, we should pass women reservation bill. There are no Muslim women in this house. With reservation for women, perhaps a couple of Muslim women would be present here,” says INC’s Abdul Khaleque. To this, the speaker said that there is a Muslim woman present in the House and she spoke today in the House for the first time.
04:55 PM IST‘Not a matter of majority or minority. It is a matter of humanity’: AIADMK’s P Raveendranath Kumar
“This is not a matter of majority or minority. It is a matter of humanity. It is a matter of women’s rights. This bill provides equal rights to women. I support this bill,” says AIADMK’s P Raveendranath Kumar.
04:45 PM IST‘TDP is for women’s rights but opposes this bill’: Jayadev Galla
“Why should only a Muslim man be punished for abandoning his wife? And the bill takes care of only 10 per cent of the population. What about the other women of the country? TDP is for women’s rights but opposes this bill,” says Jayadev Galla.
04:31 PM IST‘If man abandons his wife in any other way, will he be sent to jail?’ :Jayadev Galla
“This bill is going to criminalise a civil act. The bill is a consequence of a Supreme Court judgement. There are two types of talaqs, one initiated by the woman, and the other initiated by the man. According to the bill, the man will be sent to jail if he says to his wife the word ‘talaq’ three times. Will he go to jail if he abandons his wife in any other way? “, says TDP’s Jayadev Galla.
04:22 PM IST‘Listen to 10L women who signed petition against triple talaq’: Poonam Mahajan
“I request the speaker to listen to the 10 lakh women who have signed the petition and said that we cannot bear to be thrown on the road. Do not bring about this legislation,” says Poonam Mahajan.
04:15 PM IST‘This is our fight against injustice’: Poonam Mahajan
“Law has taught her that we should not bear injustice. This is our fight against injustice,” says Poonam Mahajan.
04:09 PM IST‘Take women legislators to Sabarimala in special aircraft’: Asaduddin Owaisi
“No action was taken against the people who were found guilty in the Me Too movement. Why? This is your love for women. If you really love the women of the country, take all the women legislators to Sabarimala in a special aircraft,” said Asaduddin Owaisi.
04:03 PM IST‘Will husband pay for wife’s maintenance from jail?’: Asaduddin Owaisi
“You have decided to put the man behind bars. Do you think he will pay for his wife’s maintenance? Also, why should she wait for him while he is in jail for three years? Will it be fair to keep her waiting, still as his wife, for three years?” says AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi.
3:57 PM IST‘Do something for all women, not just Muslim’: NCP’s Sunil Dattatray Tatkare
“The legislation should include protection against domestic violence. This legislation will benefit few people in the country. Do something for the others too,” says NCP’s Sunil Dattatray Tatkare.
3:42 PM ISTGaurav Gogoi (INC) rises to speak in the Triple Talaq issue
“When a man of another religion leaves his wife, do they have to go to the jail? Why have you kept the name of the bill Muslim Women Protection Bill? Give a boon to the women of all religions by passing a bill that is actually about gender equality and women empowerment,” says Gaurav Gogoi.
3:26 PM ISTSP Leader Akhilesh Yadav rises to speak
Akhilesh Yadav expresses his displeasure over ruckus in the House. He says that Danish Ali and Azam Khan were not allowed to speak. Speaker asks all lawmakers not to use unparliamentary terms in the Assembly.
3:14 PM ISTSP MLA Azam Khan’s remarks invite rebuttals from BJP lawmakers
Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad says an experienced politician like Azam Khan should know how to speak to the Speaker. He called the deputy Speaker ‘his sister’. Ruckus in the house with BJP MPs asking Azam Khan to apologize to Deputy Speaker Rama Devi.
3:06 PM ISTLawmaker Danish Ali (BSP) says the lawmakers pressing for triple talaq can not bring women empowerment
The lawmaker asks why a civil offence is being turned into a criminal offence.
2:50 PM ISTNDA ally JD(U) opposes the criminalisation of instant triple talaq bill
Rajiv Ranjan Singh (JD(U)), says, Muslims should be included in the discussions and there should be awareness but not imposition.
2:29 PM ISTRuckus in Rajya Sabha continues, Deputy Speaker adjourns for 15 minutes
Derek O’Brien (TMC), KK Ragesh (CPI(M)) opposes the Bill.
2:16 PM ISTUnion Minister Jitendra Singh asks the Speaker to begin discussions of the Right to Information Act, 2005
Former Finance minister P Chidambaram says the Bill be sent to a select committee first.
2:03 PM IST‘Women’s rights are intertwined with men’s rights’, says Kanimozhi (DMK)
DMK’s Kanimozhi says the criminalisation of instant triple talaq could affect men and can be used against husbands. Kanimozhi finishes her speech saying that DMK will oppose the Bill.
1:53 PM ISTCongress MP from Bihar Mohammed Jawed says this is a tool to imprison Muslim men
“This is a tool to imprison Muslim men,” says Congress MP from Bihar, Mohammed Jawed.
1:32 PM IST‘Law will help us develop the ones who are left behind’: Meenakshi Lekhi (BJP)
Meenakshi Lekhi says that the solution cannot be left to people, who are suffering due to this.
1:20 PM IST‘Constitution is paramount, there can be no parallel judiciary’: Meenakshi Lekhi on Triple Talaq Bill
‘Congress is in the business of breaking homes, we try to keep them intact’, says the BJP lawmaker from New Delhi.
1:14 PM IST‘Religion cannot control every aspect of life’: Meenakshi Lekhi (BJP)
Meenakshi Lekhi says there is need to work for a just society, with just rules and laws for the citizens.
1:02 PM ISTNK Premachandran (RSP), MP from Kollam, says there will be misuse if the Bill is passed
He asks the Speaker what is the necessity of making a personal law turn into a criminal law. He quotes some important judgments pertaining to the issue. He adds that government is being discriminatory towards the Muslim community.
12:53 PM IST‘Look at the issue from a humanitarian perspective’: Union Minister on Triple Talaq
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in Lok Sabha says that women have led Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions, their representation in Parliament has increased, so it is necessary that everyone ensures that Muslim girls too become a part of this growth. He adds that the Constitution treats every female in the nation equally.
12:45 PM ISTThe Triple Talaq Bill is taken up for discussion
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad quotes the three judgments that have been given on triple talaq. He says the first judgment outlined that the practice is arbitrary and affects Muslim women. He tells that the practice is banned in several Muslim nations.
12:39 PM ISTUnion Minister Sitharaman introduces the amended Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2019
The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is introduced in the Lok Sabha amid opposition from Saugata Roy (TMC) and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress).
12:36 PM ISTSpeaker tells parliamentarians that the country recognizes hard work put in by the lawmakers
Light moment in the Parliament. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister, rises to speak.
12:28 PM ISTUnion Minister Sitharaman moves to further amend Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2019
Saugata Roy of Trinamool Congress asks the Speaker to request the Union Minister to present the Bill again. Leader of Opposition Adhir Chowdhury asks the Speaker to consider the request.
12:26 PM ISTBhartruhari Mahtab asks parliamentarians to follow Parliament website for updated list of business
The BJD leader from Cuttack says, hard copy is necessary but Internet services are fast enough so lawmakers can now be updated regarding the proceedings.
12:20 PM ISTUnion Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad starts discussion on the Repealing and Amedning Bill
Congress Kerala MP Shashi Tharoor says, ‘We like the objective, but the Government has the habit of rushing the bills.’ Similar concerns were raised by K Suresh of the Congress earlier.
12:12 PM ISTUnion Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presents the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956
Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP for Jharkhand says that Jharkhand needs Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
11:15 AM ISTMDMK Chief Vaiko takes oath in Rajya Sabha
MDMK’s Vaiko from Tamil Nadu is now a member of the Rajya Sabha.
11:00 AM ISTDelhi: MDMK leader Vaiko takes oath as member of Rajya Sabha. pic.twitter.com/WZtkHcKPEJ
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2019
Congress MP K Suresh accuses Government of not keeping the Opposition in the know regarding Bills to be introduced
Kodakunnil Suresh says Congress opposes the Criminality Clause in the Triple Talaq Bill. Congress has said that it will ask for division if government sticks to that clause.
K Suresh, Congress MP: As far as Triple Talaq Bill is concerned, Criminality Clause maybe misused by police & govt. So we'll strongly oppose Criminality Clause. If the govt sticks to that, we'll ask for division. https://t.co/wT78a2D9Xc
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2019
He as also accused the Government of not keeping the Opposition in the know.
10:20 AM ISTK Suresh, Congress MP: Y'day night they put in Triple Talaq Bill in today's agenda & postponed National Medical Commission Bill and DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill without knowledge of opposition. Why are they keeping it secret & putting in agenda at night? pic.twitter.com/jp56KRZ97f
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2019
Opposition wants Parliamentary Committees to review contentious bills
Congress leader and UPA Chairperson expressed her concern along with leader of Opposition, GN Azad that state committees are being diluted. Trinamool Congress too joined in the demand. Read more here.
10:09 AM ISTAdjournment notices have been issued in Rajya Sabha by 3 lawmakers
NCP MP Vandana Chavan has issued an adjournment notice over discrepancies in entry age in schools in standard 1, across the country, according to ANI.
NCP MP Vandana Chavan has given Zero Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over 'discrepancies in entry age in schools in standard 1, across the country'. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/Ptbs2kvkgF
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2019
BJP MP Ajay Pratap Singh has issued a similar notice regarding overpopulation in the nation.
10:04 AM ISTBharatiya Janata Party MPs, Saroj Pandey and Ajay Pratap Singh have given Zero Hour notices in Rajya Sabha over 'Simultaneous elections' & 'problems due to increasing population in the country', respectively. pic.twitter.com/bLCq8L9HXf
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2019
Triple Talaq Bill has been listed for discussion in the Lok Sabha today
Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told Hindustan Times that the Triple Talaq Bill has nothing to do about religion. He speaks on Congress’ attitude towards the Bill, and JD(U)’s opposition. Read here.
9:56 AM ISTLok Sabha session to begin at 11 am
The Lok Sabha was adjourned by the Speaker yesterday. The Right to Information Bill, 2005 will be up for discussion in the Upper House. The discussions on Triple Talaq Bill will be conducted in the Lok Sabha.
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