BJP issues whip to its MPs directing them to be present in Parliament on Thursday, Triple Talaq bill likely in Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha is likely to take up the contentious triple talaq bill for consideration and passage on Thursday, official sources said on Wednesday.

The ruling BJP has issued a whip to its MPs, asking them to ensure their presence in the House.

The bill, which criminalises instant divorce by Muslim men and seeks jail term for the guilty, was the first draft legislation tabled by the Narendra Modi government in this first session after it took oath of office for a second term in May.

Several opposition parties have bitterly opposed it but the government has asserted that the bill is a step towards gender equality and justice.

PM Modi on June 25 hit out at the Congress party over their Opposition to the Triple Talaq Bill in his reply to President Kovind's Motion of Thanks in the Lok Sabha.

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Addressing the Lower House, PM Modi asked the Congress to support the Triple Talaq Bill. Reminding the Congress about the issues of women empowerment, he said that if Congress supports the Triple Talaq, it can make up for two "missed opportunities" in the past naming them to be "Uniform Civil Code" and "Shah Bano judgment".

"Congress has missed two opportunities on the issue of women empowerment. They first missed in the 1950s when the Uniform Civil Code was being debated and then after 35 years when Shah Bano case came up. Now is the third chance when they can support Triple Talaq Bill," PM Modi said. 

Talking about the famous Shah Bano Begum, case, PM Modi pointed out the negligence of Congress leaders, who had once again missed an opportunity to reform laws related to women.

"In an interview, Congress leaders had said that the Muslims were not the responsibility of the Congress and that if they wanted to lie in the gutter, they can remain there," said PM Modi, recalling the words following which members of the Opposition created an uproar in the House, demanding proof for what PM Modi had just said. Responding to Opposition's reaction, Modi said "I will send a YouTube link" on the same. 

With the aim to abolish practices like Triple Talaq and Nikkah-Halala, PM Modi said that the government has introduced bills to abolish such practices and requested the Congress to join them in successfully passing these bills instead of missing out on another opportunity. He said that the passage of these bills will be significant this year as it is the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.    

(With PTI inputs) 

WATCH: Asaduddin Owaisi Maintains His Resistance Over Triple Talaq Bill, Underpins His Argument On Three Points As The Bill Is Tabled In The Lok Sabha