It is known news that NDA government has passed historic bill – the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017- in Lok Sabha. The bill was passed in Lok Sabha where BJP has full majority but it will have to pass in Rajya Sabha before sending for President assent. While parties like AIADMK, Biju Janata Dal, Trinamool Congress opposed the bill in Lok Sabha, BJP and it’s allies in NDA like TDP have supported the bill. However, TRS has neither supported nor opposed but it abstained from debate and voting. Saying that it neither wants to support nor oppose the Triple Talaq Bill, the TRS members actually disappeared from Lok Sabha before the introduction of the bill and re-appeared once entire process is over. This left many wondering whether TRS not in a position to decide whether to support the bill or not. However, it seems there are some specific reasons for this vanishing act from TRS side.
Triple Talaq bill, which criminalises utterance of triple talaq, was introduced in the Lok Sabha at about 12.45 pm after giving prior notice. TRS MPs, who have been agitating over the bifurcation of the High Court till then, came out of Lok Sabha a minute before the introduction of the bill. Main reason is TRS does not want to rub BJP on the wrong side and so it can not oppose the bill. At the same time TRS does not want to severe ties with the MIM and so it can not support the bill. Everyone has seen that MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi cried foul over the bill. Also TRS is well aware of Muslim population in Telangana state and the necessity of winning their votes in case it wants to come into power again.
So TRS leadership has taken this last minute decision to be absent when the bill was being introduced. TRS MP Vinod stated that – We are not supporting or opposing the Triple Talaq Bill. Chief minister KCR is said to have given strict instructions to all MPs not to talk or participate in any talk shows on triple Talaq issue.
