On the first day of the Budget Session of Parliament Monday, both President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for early approval of the instant triple talaq Bill ~ called the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill ~ by Parliament, making the point that there should not be politics on “crucial issues” like triple talaq for the sake of Muslim women’s rights.

During the Winter Session of Parliament last month, the Lok Sabha had passed the Bill which makes instant triple talaq a criminal offence and proposes a three-year jail term for a Muslim man who divorces his wife by resorting to it.

The Bill, however, could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha due to standoff between ruling BJP-led government and the Congress-led Opposition over the latter’s demand that it should be sent to a Select Committee for detailed examination due to various concerns regarding it. The government did not push the Bill in the Upper House as it does not enjoy majority there.

In his customary address to reporters outside Parliament House before the commencement of a Parliament session, PM Modi on Monday morning raked up the triple talaq issue, telling reporters, “In the last Session it was our effort and the nation had high hopes that there won’t be any politics on crucial issues like triple talaq so that the Muslim women will get their rights. However, despite the orders of the Supreme Court, the triple talaq Bill could not be passed by Parliament.” He went on to say : “I hope and appeal to the political parties across the country to join hands in passing the triple talaq Bill to protect the rights of Muslim women. It will indeed be the best gift in the New Year 2018 for Muslim women.”

President Kovind also highlighted the triple talaq bill in the beginning of his maiden address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament. “For decades, the dignity of Muslim women has remained captive to political cost-benefit. Now the nation has an opportunity to emancipate them from this situation,” President Kovind said.

“My government has tabled a Bill on triple talaq in Parliament. I hope that Parliament will soon pass it into a law. The law on triple talaq, once enacted, will also enable Muslim sisters and daughters to live a life of self-respect with courage,” he said. Meanwhile, stressing on the significance of the Budget Sesion, PM Modi told reporters : “Entire global community is very optimistic about the Indian economy. It comes at a time when the world is looking at us, be it the global credit rating agencies, World Bank, IMF, which have been very positive in their opinion about the growth of India and the road ahead.” He said the upcoming Budget would “provide a new energy to the fast growing economy of the country”.