Triple talaq law: TN opposes jail term, fine

Chennai : A day after the Union Cabinet approved a Bill that proposes to make instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat, it has emerged that the Tamil Nadu Government was opposed to the provision of jail term for Muslim husbands who violated the to-be-enacted legislation. The law is being explored on the directions of the Supreme Court.

On Friday Union Law Minister Ravishankar Prasad had said that many states supported the Bill but he did not mention if any non-BJP ruled state opposed to the legislation that seeks to provide a three year prison term to any Muslim man who sought to divorce his wife by uttering ‘talaq’ thrice.

However, it has now come to light that the AIADMK-ruled Tamil Nadu actually expressed disagreements with certain provisions of the proposed law. The state had conveyed its view to the Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, New Delhi, though Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan.

The proposed law provides for a three-year jail term and a fine for Muslim husbands who violate the law.

“The provision of punishment with three years’ imprisonment and fine may be omitted,” said the letter dated December 15 (the day the Cabinet approved the Bill).

Another contentious provision, which Tamil Nadu has sought to be modified, is the proposal to provide subsistence allowance to the Muslim women and dependent children in the event of the pronouncement of talaq-e-biddat. The southern state accepted the provision that the women would also be entitled for custody of minor children.