Triple Talaq Bill Was Bulldozed Through LS For No Reason, But How?

Meghnad S explains how the Triple Talaq Bill was bulldozed through the Lok Sabha in a not-so-cool way.

(This piece was originally a Facebook post by Meghnad S. It has been republished with permission)

(Note: The post was written by Meghnad S at 2:30 pm on 28 December, before the Triple Talaq Bill was passed in Lok Sabha. The Bill has now been passed.)

A 'magical' sequence of events is unfolding in Lok Sabha RIGHT NOW surrounding the Triple Talaq Bill.

22 December (Friday), #TripleTalaqBill made its first appearance in List of Business in Lok Sabha. It was supposed to be introduced then.

The long weekend would give time for MPs to:

• Read the bill
• File amendments
• Prepare a speech

For some bizarre reason, a REVISED list of business was put out for Friday. The Triple Talaq Bill magically disappears.

*cricket sounds*

So the MPs couldn't file amendments since the official Bill was NOT in Parliament. No word about the bill or when it will be introduced on 26 and 27 (December).

*cricket sounds intensify*

And then, suddenly, the Bill appears again in the List of Business for today (28 December). It's slated for INTRODUCTION only.

Today we find out about an hour ago, during the INTRODUCTION of the Bill, that it will be considered and passed today itself! Almost no time given for MPs to prepare or file amendments.

And now, the Bill has been magically changed from just INTRODUCTION to CONSIDERATION AND PASSING in the Supplementary Business Number Two, put out just a few minutes ago on the Lok Sabha website.

Such an utterly butterly crappy thing to do. And that too for NO REASON AT ALL! Bulldozing a bill away merrily for NO REASON!! Not cool.

Here is the original Facebook post:

(Meghnad S is a public policy professional. When not watching sessions, he dabbles with writing on subjects related to the Greatest Place on Earth: The Indian Parliament. He can be contacted on Twitter: @memeghnad)