Promises of women empowerment of Congress, Rahul Gandhi proves lie and deceit; stalls passing of anti-triple talaq bill in Rajya Sabha

NewsBharati    10-Aug-2018
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New Delhi, August 10: Unnecessary ruckus, oppose and protest by Congress and other opposition parties over Rafale deal stalled the much awaited ‘Triple Talaq’ bill in Rajya Sabha. Notably, Triple Talaq bill which is known as The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 prohibits divorce of Muslim couples by pronouncing 'talaq' back-to-back thrice by their husbands.

 

Throughout the day, Congress lawmakers unnecessarily continued their protest and created the ruckus over Rafale deal and not allowed the government to table anti-triple talaq bill in Rajya Sabha. Therefore, taking the nuisance of Congress in cognizance and last working day of Monsoon Session, Rajya Sabha chairperson informed the house that anti-triple talaq bill will not be taken for consideration.

The childish behavior of Congress lawmakers showcases their double standard policies over the anti-triple talaq bill and women protections. Congress president Rahul Gandhi pledged to protect rights of women, asked PM Modi and BJP to rise above politics and strengthen women of the country. He many times claimed of giving full support to anti-triple talaq bill. But in the end, the words of Rahul Gandhi and policies of Congress party today once again proved that they are least bothered in empowering women .

Corruption by PM Modi-led centre in Rafale deal- A Myth

During the no-motion confidence, Congress president Rahul Gandi without any notice raked up Rafale deal in the Parliament and alleged Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had lied to the nation by claiming that India was bound by a secrecy clause in the Rafale fighter jet deal signed with France.

He also said that the French president had clearly conveyed to him that there was no problem in sharing details relating to the Rafale deal worth Rs 58,000 crore. Alleging corruption in the deal, the Congress president has demanded details, including cost of equipment and weapons, which the government refused to share them citing the secrecy clause.

Responding to the Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi's allegations against her in the Rafale case, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said a secrecy agreement with France was signed in the year 2008 and Rafale deal was also covered in it. She said that the French president has indicated that price of the jets cannot be revealed and that what he told an MP is not relevant.

Proving the allegations wrong, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "It was an agreement of secrecy. I am not privy to what the French President told Rahul Gandhi. But I am referring to two particular interviews that the French President had given to Indian TV channels. In the interviews, the French President had said that commercial details of the Rafael deal cannot be revealed," she said.

The statement indicated that “France and India in 2008 concluded a Security agreement, which legally binds the two States to protect the classified information provided by the partner that could impact security and operational capabilities of the defense equipment of India or France. These provisions naturally apply to the IGA concluded on 23 September 2016 on the acquisition of 36 Rafael aircraft and their weapons.”

Importantly, allegations made by Rahul Gandhi proved wrong, facts proved right. All allegations proved wrong rebounding on Rahul Gandhi as the France government gave a statement dismissing the allegations stating that “In India and in France when a deal is very sensitive, we can’t reveal all details.”

All you need to know about Rafael Deal

India in September 2016 inked a direct deal with the French government to purchase 36 new Rafale fighter jets in a 7.87 billion euro deal that is likely to bring major work to the Indian private sector in terms of offsets under the make in India policy.

The deal was inked after negotiations that last close to 18 months, with Indian negotiators finally bringing down the price by 328 million euros. The Rafael deal for 36 jets includes over 3 billion euros of work for the Indian industry over the next 7-8 years according to top defense ministry officials. Besides high-end technology like engine know-how, the major structural assembly is also likely in India, besides a chunk of avionics work.

India will also get latest weapons like the Meteor and Scalp missiles as part of the contract, besides a 5-year support package that assures high availability of the fighter. India will pay a 15 % advance and deliveries are to start in three years.

Importantly, allegations made by Rahul Gandhi proved wrong, facts proved right. But still, Congress is misleading the whole country and backstabbed women of our country raking Rafale deal.

Isn’t this a sheer example of double standards shown by the Congress and Rahul Gandhi? If you talk about empowerment, women rights, women having a meaningful participation so you would have let pass the anti-triple talaq bill. The Triple-Talaq bill passed in the Lok Sabha on December 28, 2017.

Earlier, on Thursday, The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved three crucial amendments to the Triple Talaq Bill, including a provision for bail to an accused before the start of the trial. This was one of the three demands put forth by the Congress to support the Bill.

The other two demands are: allowing a close relative of the victim to file a case on her behalf and to allow a magistrate to settle disputes between the couple, which the government has refused to incorporate in the Bill.

 The historic Triple Talaq Bill:

The Bill makes all declaration of talaq, including in written or electronic form, to be void (i.e. not enforceable in law) and illegal. It defines talaq as talaq-e-biddat or any other similar form of talaq pronounced by a Muslim man resulting in instant and irrevocable divorce. Talaq-e-biddat refers to the practice under Muslim personal laws where pronouncement of the word ‘talaq’ thrice in one sitting by a Muslim man to his wife results in an instant and irrevocable divorce.

Offence and penalty: The Bill makes declaration of talaq a cognizable and non-bailable offence. (A cognizable offence is one for which a police officer may arrest an accused person without warrant.) A husband declaring talaq can be imprisoned for up to three years along with a fine.

Allowance: A Muslim woman against whom talaq has been declared, is entitled to seek subsistence allowance from her husband for herself and for her dependent children. The amount of the allowance will be decided by a First Class Magistrate.

Custody of minor children: A Muslim woman against whom such talaq has been declared, is entitled to seek custody of her minor children. The determination of custody will be made by the Magistrate.