Why does the BJP need the Congress to make a deal on this at all? The Women Reservation Bill already has Congress and substantial Opposition support, which means that if introduced, there’s no danger of it failing to pass. It’s not as if the demand of reservation for women is a Congress idea – it was part of the BJP’s 2014 manifesto after all. So what is the need to make this look like some back-alley “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” deal?

Why is the BJP government making the fate of women’s reservations dependent on triple talaq and nikah halala? Sure, triple talaq and nikah halala are regressive, exploitative practices, and have no place in any egalitarian society. But why should there be a connection between getting rid of these things and ensuring we have more women lawmakers?

Why is the BJP government making the fate of women’s reservations dependent on triple talaq and nikah halala? Sure, triple talaq and nikah halala are regressive, exploitative practices, and have no place in any egalitarian society. But why should there be a connection between getting rid of these things and ensuring we have more women lawmakers?

In fact, there isn’t even a need to pass a law on triple talaq since the Supreme Court already declared it illegal in 2017’s Shayara Bano case. Nikah halala is also set to be adjudicated on by the apex court this year – and it makes sense to wait till that judgment is out. Otherwise any legislation on it will be challenged in the Supreme Court. Passing a law on either is therefore of little practical use at this point.

Ravi Shankar Prasad Letter to Rahul Gandhi: Don’t be Fooled by This Triple Talaq-Women’s Reservation ‘Deal’

What do the women of India need to ensure equality and adequate representation?

A deal between two men, of course.

At least that’s what Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad seems to believe, if his letter to Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday is anything to go by. In light of Gandhi’s recent support of reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies, Prasad proposed that the Congress support the BJP to approve the Women Reservation Bill, as well as the government’s laws against triple talaq and nikah halala. Oh, and the Congress should also support the proposed revamp of the National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC).

Law minister Shri @rsprasad exposes the doublespeak of Rahul Gandhi and Congress party on Womensâ Reservation Bill. pic.twitter.com/OI4Xz602hv
— BJP (@BJP4India) July 17, 2018

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Published: 18 Jul 2018, 8:24 PM IST

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Don’t be Fooled by This Triple Talaq-Women’s Reservation ‘Deal’

Are Ravi Shankar Prasad and the BJP planning to blame the Congress for failing to pass the Women Reservation Bill?

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Topics: Rahul Gandhi Ravi Shankar Prasad Women reservation