New Delhi, December 27: The Muslim Women Bill (Triple Talaq) 2018 has been passed in the Lok Sabha with a brute majority. Ahead of the crucial vote, the Congress and the AIADMK - two major constituents of the Opposition bloc - staged a walkout after the government declined their plea to send the legislation to a Joint Select Committee.

Out of the 256 lawmakers who voted on the law, 245 were in favour of its passage, whereas, only 11 were against it. The three major amendments moved to the law by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi were defeated. Triple Talaq Banned by 20 Islamic Countries, Why Can't 'Secular' India do it, Asks Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The disgruntled AIMIM chief took a veiled jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to his wife Jashodaben Ben. "The amendment on deserted wives should be passed. Our esteemed bhabhi (sister-in-law) in Gujarat wants to come to Delhi," he said, evoking sharp reaction from the treasury benches.

Another amendment moved by Owaisi, seeking reduction of jail term from 3-year as proposed in the law to 1-year -- at par with punishment awarded to members of other faith for arbitrary divorce -- was also rejected by the government.

The law also retains the provision which allows only a magistrate to grant bail to a man accused by his wife of divorcing her through talaq-e-bidat or triple talaq.

The Bill was necessitated to be passed again in the Lok Sabha as the Rajya Sabha had failed to clear the law in the last session of the Parliament. The government was then forced to promulgate an ordinance to implement the law.

Earlier, while debating on the issue, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Bill is not aimed to target any particular religion or community, but to ensure that women are not subjected to gross human rights violation. "The Bill is intended to empower the women," he said.

Prasad defended the provision of 3-year jail term and non-bailable clause, saying a strong deterrent is required to eradicate the menace. He cited previous instances of the Parliament enacting stern laws to battle social evils, including the Dowry Act.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 27, 2018 07:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).