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Marriage Amendment Bill displeases parties
The fate of Marriage Laws Amendment Bill hangs in the balance. Almost all political parties have opposed it on the ground of being anti-women by making divorce easy by waiving the cooling off period.
“Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid has informed that he will require more time to consider the suggestions of the members,” Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien informed at the end of debate on the Bill.
Khurshid, who had earlier agreed to demand of some members that the Bill may be sent to Select Committee, has sought time to hold consultations with Opposition leaders so that appropriate amendments could be brought to satisfy the members.
Not only members belonging to BJP, BSP, SP, CPI, CPI(M) and BJD opposed the Bill, but they were even joined by Congress MPs Shadi Lal Batra and Saifudin Soz. The Bill, which would amend both the Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act, would encourage divorce, make women more vulnerable and threaten the family structure and social fabric, they pointed out.
Samajwadi Party leader Jaya Bachchan said divorce impacts women emotionally, socially and financially so breakdown of marriage should not be made easier. Having cooling off period is crucial as the time gives couples to re-think the decision, she pointed out. Since children, especially differently able, are worst affected by divorce, couple having such children “be punished by not granting them divorce,” she demanded.
Her party colleague Naresh Agrawal took a dig at Khurshid saying that he should not acquire image of being anti-women since he has already got an image of being “anti-minority”. First he demanded that the bill be referred to the Select Committee, but when the Minister sought to do so Agarwal said that first discussion be completed.
Tapan Kumar Sen of CPI-M said the Bill reflected a biased mindset against the weaker sections of the society. Brajesh Pathak (BSP) and Ram Kripal Yadav of RJD said the bill will encourage western culture and increase insecurity among women.
BJP leader Maya Singh said that compensation has not been quantified in the bill which will be against the interest of women and children while her party colleague Najma Heptullah highlighted the plight of Muslim women and demanded that the government should bring suitable amendment in the Marriage law of the community.
The fate of Marriage Laws Amendment Bill hangs in the balance. Almost all political parties have opposed it on the ground of being anti-women by making divorce easy by waiving the cooling off period.
“Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid has informed that he will require more time to consider the suggestions of the members,” Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien informed at the end of debate on the Bill.
Khurshid, who had earlier agreed to demand of some members that the Bill may be sent to Select Committee, has sought time to hold consultations with Opposition leaders so that appropriate amendments could be brought to satisfy the members.
Not only members belonging to BJP, BSP, SP, CPI, CPI(M) and BJD opposed the Bill, but they were even joined by Congress MPs Shadi Lal Batra and Saifudin Soz. The Bill, which would amend both the Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act, would encourage divorce, make women more vulnerable and threaten the family structure and social fabric, they pointed out.
Samajwadi Party leader Jaya Bachchan said divorce impacts women emotionally, socially and financially so breakdown of marriage should not be made easier. Having cooling off period is crucial as the time gives couples to re-think the decision, she pointed out. Since children, especially differently able, are worst affected by divorce, couple having such children “be punished by not granting them divorce,” she demanded.
Her party colleague Naresh Agrawal took a dig at Khurshid saying that he should not acquire image of being anti-women since he has already got an image of being “anti-minority”. First he demanded that the bill be referred to the Select Committee, but when the Minister sought to do so Agarwal said that first discussion be completed.
Tapan Kumar Sen of CPI-M said the Bill reflected a biased mindset against the weaker sections of the society. Brajesh Pathak (BSP) and Ram Kripal Yadav of RJD said the bill will encourage western culture and increase insecurity among women.
BJP leader Maya Singh said that compensation has not been quantified in the bill which will be against the interest of women and children while her party colleague Najma Heptullah highlighted the plight of Muslim women and demanded that the government should bring suitable amendment in the Marriage law of the community.
