Muslim women seek jail term of 7-10 years, retrospectively: Ravi Shankar Prasad

NEW DELHI: Union law and information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the legislation that makes instant triple talaq a criminal offence had been widely welcomed by Muslim women and organisations representing them. They had met him at his residence, he said.

“The hope it (new law) has generated among victim Muslim women is very assuring,” he said. “Many of them told me why only three years, why not seven or ten years (of jail time)? Why not enforce it with retrospective effect?” The new law is “a transformative initiative for India,” Prasad said. “I would urge those who are opposing it to rise beyond politics of vote bank… Even otherwise, nearly 9 crore of 18 crore Muslim population is not a small number,” he said, referring to Muslim women.

The bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 28, makes instant triple talaq an offence punishable by imprisonment for three years. The bill is pending in the Rajya Sabha.