The government has introduced the triple talaq bill in the Lok Sabha. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday raised concerns regarding the state of Muslim women in the country. The bill is expected to be put to vote on Thursday itself. Earlier in the day, the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made her statement in Lok Sabha on Kulbhushan Jadhav, the former Indian Navy officer who is on death row in Pakistan. She had earlier made the statement in the Rajya Sabha. Condemning the Pakistan government over its treatment of Jadhav’s family, Swaraj said,“It is unfortunate that the meeting could have been a path-breaking event but Pakistan used it as a propaganda tool.” She also urged the MPs across party lines to speak in one voice over the “absurdity” done by Pakistan. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for consensus in Parliament over the triple talaq bill which will be tabled today, but the Congress seemed in no mood to relent on the uproar over Union minister Ananthkumar Hedge’s remarks on the Constitution. Congress sources said that the party has objections to the criminality and jail clause in the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights of Marriage) Bill 2017, which makes instant triple talaq a non-bailable warrant with imprisonment of up to three jails. Rahul Gandhi’s tweet mocking Arun Jaitley’s Rajya Sabha statement may also send tempers flaring, a day after the BJP and Congress appeared to leave the bitterness of the Gujarat campaign behind them. After the Opposition virtually paralysed the Lok Sabha proceedings on Wednesday demanding dismissal of Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde for his controversial comments on secularism and the Constitution, the government on Thursday is set to introduce the triple talaq bill in the Lower House of the Parliament. On the other hand, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is also likely to make a statement over the Kulbhushan Jadhav row. On Wednesday, the Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge quoting Hegde said the minister compared those supporting secularism to “children of unknown parentage”, besides denigrating Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution. “He (Hegde) said ’those who support secularism are like people without parentage. We do not know their bloodline. They do not know their parents but they call themselves secular. If someone says I am a secular, I get suspicious’,” Kharge quoted Hegde as saying at a function in Karnataka on Sunday. Calling the remarks totally unacceptable, the Congress leader further said, “It means we all who support secular thoughts are not born to their parents.” The Congress members also displayed posters demanding immediate sacking of Hegde, who is the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Kharge alleged that Hegde had also denigrated the architect of the Constitution, BR Ambedkar, by his remarks that the current dispensation came to power to “change” it. The opposition uproar led to several adjournments of the House. Rejecting Kharge’s comments, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar claimed the Congress leader was trying to distort what Hegde had said. He, however, did not comment on Hegde’s remarks or try to defend him. “BR Ambedkar is the father of the Constitution and we respect him. The Prime Minister had said the Constitution is our national book (Rastriya Granth). We are committed to it and secularism. The Congress should not teach us secularism,” said Kumar, while asking the opposition not to disrupt the proceedings. “The Congress is indulging in pseudo-secularism. You (Congress) did not allow Baba Saheb Ambedkar to contest polls. He was brought to Rajya Sabha by Jan Sangh,” he said, listing steps taken by the government to preserve Ambedkar’s heritage. Kumar said the opposition was training its guns on the government for not convening the Winter Session of Parliament and when it has been called, it was disrupting the proceedings. He made the statement amid shouting of slogans against Hegde by the Opposition. At a function in Karnataka on Sunday, Hegde had reportedly said people should identify themselves by their religions and “those who, without knowing about their parental blood, call themselves secular, they don’t have their own identity…They don’t know about their parentage.” [caption id=“attachment_4278435” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Parliament. PTI[/caption] He had also said “we are here to change the Constitution and we’ll change it.” When the Lok Sabha met at 2:45 PM after the third adjournment and some members entered the Well displaying posters, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan reminded them of the rules of the House. The House was first adjourned till noon and then till 2 PM due to unabated opposition protest on the issue. The Lok Sabha was again adjourned at 4 PM for 15 minutes amid uproar in the House over Hegde’s remarks. The demand to adjourn the House was made by RSP MP N K Premachandran when Finance Minister Arun Jaitley introduced the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill. As the House was witnessing ruckus, Premachandran said the GST Bill was a crucial legislation and cannot be passed amidst din and urged the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings to ensure smooth discussion. The TRS members, who were demanding a separate high court for Telangana, were also in the Well, along with members of the Congress. Some other members raised concerns over the treatment meted out to the family members of Kulbhushan Jadhav by Pakistan. Despite repeated requests from Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, about 20 members continued to protest in the Well of the House. As the protests continued unabated, Mahajan asked the members to return to their seats. “If you don’t want the government to say something, then let it go,” she said. She also told Kharge that his party had reservations over lesser number of sitting in the Winter session but was stalling the proceedings when the House was on. Amid the din, papers were laid and a few members spoke during Zero Hour but as the unruly scenes continued, Mahajan adjourned the House till 2 PM after about 20 minutes of proceedings. Before this, the House was adjourned for about 50 minutes soon after the Question Hour had begun at 11 AM. Congress members raised slogans demanding removal of Hegde from the Council of Ministers, while members of the TRS also joined them with placards demanding a separate high court for Telengana. Some Shiv Sena members raised slogans against Pakistan, apparently over the treatment of Jadhav’s family members. Some BJP members also joined them in raising slogans like ‘Pakistan murdabad’ (down with Pakistan). During Question Hour, Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Kharge had then too briefly raised the issue of remarks by Hegde, following which his party members rushed into the Well raising slogans such as ‘Ambedkar ka apman nahin chalega’ (We will not tolerate the insult of B R Ambedkar – a key framer of the Constitution). With inputs from PTI
Parliament updates: Asaduddin Owaisi says Muslim women celebrating passing of triple talaq bill 'don't know law'
The government on Thursday is set to introduce the triple talaq bill in the Lower House of the Parliament. On the other hand, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is also likely to make a statement over the Kulbhushan Jadhav row.
 "Parliament updates: Asaduddin Owaisi says Muslim women celebrating passing of triple talaq bill 'don't know law'")
Ram Gopal Yadav, SP MP from Uttar Pradesh flags issue of passengers being drugged on trains
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal replies that action against such oganised gangs will be taken and if any member has information about it, they should come forward and inform the ministry. The ministry is also trying to bring in a network of CCTV surveillance on trains and stations, Goyal informed the Rajya House.
Tripura MP raises question of security reinforcements in railways in Rajya Sabha
Jhama Das Badiya, CPM MP from Tripura says her luggage was stolen from Rajdhani Express. There are thousands like her who go through this with no security reinforcement.
Break up of business addressed during Winter Session of Parliament
Jairam Ramesh, Viplove Thakur raise questions over MSP provided to farmers
Congress MP Viplove Thakur asks if Narendra Modi’s promise of paying 50 percent more than the MSP to the farmer is being fulfilled. Jairam Ramesh also asks how is the cost of production fixed for MSP, “What is the new system for fixing the cost of production?”
Lok Sabha records higher productivity than Rajya Sabha
Lok Sabha sat for 13 days, 61 hours during Parliament’s Winter Session
As per PRS Legislative, LS sat for 13 days, 61 hours with 78 percent productivity. Sixteen bills were introduced during this time in the Lok Sabha. Twelve bills were passed by the Lower House. Apart from this, 46 starred questions were answered orally during Question Hour.
Productivity during Question Hour in both Houses
Productivity during this Winter Session of Parliament
Narendra Modi attends Lok Sabha proceedings
Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends Lok Sabha proceedings. pic.twitter.com/IgtfSbN2NG
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018
Consumer Protection Bill, New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill introduced in Lok Sabha
Ram Vilas Paswan rose to withdraw the The Consumer Protection Bill, 2015. The Consumer Protection Bill and the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill have been introduced.
Extract from the Parliamentary panel chaired by TMC MP Derek O’Brien on rude staff behaviour, especially IndiGo
“The Committee observes that the problems affecting the airlines are not personal; it is institutional. An institution like Indigo has to develop a consumer friendly approach in dealing with their passengers. The Committee believes that being a leader in market share, Indigo needs to look inward and find out the reasons for the discourteous attitude and rude and indifferent behavior of their employees, whether it is their cabin crew or the ground staff. The Committee emphasizes that the arrogant behavior of employees should stop.”
WATCH: TMC MP Dinesh Trivedi earlier asked about the alternative medicine system
#WinterSession #LokSabha Dinesh Trivedi asks a supplementary question on alternative system of medicine | WATCH pic.twitter.com/snbUDG68k5
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 5, 2018
Retiring Rajya Sabha members give farewell speeches
Delhi MPs Janardan Dwivedi, Parvez Hashmi and Karan Singh. Congress MP Singh has made his farewell speech.
Arun Jaitley says Centre making effort to exceed farmer loan target in financial year 2018
Making effort to exceed farm loan target for FY18; Farm inputs have to be at reasonable price, says FM @arunjaitley in #LokSabha
— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) January 5, 2018
List of business in the Lok Sabha for today:
Consumer Protection Bill
New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill
Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill.
Dentists (Amendment) Bill
National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill
Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill
Arun Jaitley responds to queries on MSP and fertiliser subsidy
“There are crops where the Centre fixes the minimum support price (MSP). Sometimes market rate falls below MSP and we resort to market intervention. Farmers are also being provided subsidy for fertilisers as well,” said Jaitley in Lok Sabha.
Agriculture sector needs support, says Arun Jaitley on farm loan waiver
Arun Jaitley says the agriculture sector needs support. “Both the central and state governemtns have been making efforts,” says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha.
BJP issues whip directing members to be present in both Houses today
BJP issues whip asking all its MPs to remain present in both the houses of Parliament, today
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018
Jammu and Kashmir MP Farooq Abdullah seeks govt response on short course for Ayurveda doctors
Farooq Abdullah asks if there could is a way the government could introduce a short MBBS course for Ayurveda practitioners to undertake.
NMC Bill could lead to more quacks, says BJD MP in Lok Sabha
Bayjayant J Panda, BJD MP from Odisha, says Medical Council of India is one of the most corrupt bodies in the country. He also says that with the introduction of the National Medical Commission Bill, 2017, there is a greater chance of quacks across the country.
Both Houses to be adjourned sine die post lunch
According to News18, MPs from Opposition parties have been told that both houses will be adjourned sine die (with no appointed date for resumption) post lunch.
WATCH: Explainer on triple talaq bill
Three Minute Explainer on the Triple Talaq Bill: https://t.co/96gaN87WHS
— PRS Legislative (@PRSLegislative) January 5, 2018
Parliamentary panel says behaviour of airline staff, especially Indigo, condescending
While narrating some of the incidents of misbehavior in airlines, especially in Indigo, majority of the Committee Members opined that the attitude of airlines staff is very condescending, often uncooperative and on many occasions, downright rude.
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018
RECAP: Parliamentary panel discusses exorbitant airfares, rude behaviour by airline staff
The Committee on transport deliberated on the issue of exorbitant airfares charged during the festival seasons, holiday seasons, natural disasters and political/social unrest in Rajya Sabha, reported ANI. The Committee also noted there were many incidents of manhandling, discourteous and rude behavior by airlines staff.
RECAP: Report on issues related to improving consumer satisfaction of airlines tabled in Rajya Sabha
Parliamentary Standing Committee for Transport laid on the table of Rajya Sabha yesterday a report on the issues related to improving consumers satisfaction of airlines.
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018
Triple talaq could most likely be taken up again in 2018 Budget Session
Various reports suggest that owing to the lack of numbers and consensus in the Rajya Sabha the ruling party will be forced to send the bill to a Select Committee of the House. And it would only be taken up again in the Budget Session in 2018.
RECAP: Triple talaq bill creates uproar in Rajya Sabha forcing House to be adjourned
The government tactically placed the bill in the bottom of priority in the list of business on Thursday, which the Opposition strongly objected to and demanded that its motions for referring the bill to a Select Committee be taken up first. The business list had the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill ahead of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017.
Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien pleaded helplessness on the ground that the listing of business was the government’s priority and decided to go ahead with the GST bill, triggering an Opposition uproar which finally forced him to adjourn the House for the day.
As per Friday’s list of business, the triple talaq bill has been slated second for discussion after the GST amendment bill.
With inputs from IANS
List of legislative business in Rajya Sabha for today:
Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill, 2017
Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017
Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013
Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2017
Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017
Appropriation (No. 5) Bill, 2017
Triple talaq bill flawed in its present form and fails Muslim women
The Bill provides for the maintenance of a wife divorced via instant triple talaq. It does not provide for the maintenance for a wife divorced via other forms of triple talaq. It also doesn’t provide maintenance for the wife divorced via any other means, notably when a Muslim woman is granted divorce by a court. The Bill also doesn’t invalidate the infamous Shah Bano law, which was passed by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1986, denying alimony to divorced Muslim women.
The bulk of cases of instant triple talaq involve the lower income groups of Muslims, affecting families in which men are mechanics, labourers, tailors, and so on. In cases affecting them, the major problem is for the woman because she will be required to go to court to prove that the husband divorced her via instant triple talaq. In cases of oral instant triple talaq, it will be almost impossible for such a woman to prove any case against the husband, who will languish in jail before finally being acquitted.
_Read more here_
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