Congress Party general secretary K.C. Venugopal asserted yesterday that the party was keen in ensuring the controversial ‘Triple Talaq’ Bill won’t be passed by the Rajya Sabha where it would be tabled today (31st December).

‘Triple Talaq’ Bill, which was passed a couple of days by the Lok Sabha with the Congress and AIADMK MPs stating a walk-out at the time of voting, provides for a prison sentence of maximum three years for Muslim men who divorce their wives by saying ‘talaaq’ thrice and get themselves absolved of familial responsibilities.

Congress, AIADMK and many opposition parties had fervently opposed the Bill’s introduction in the Lok Sabha but could do nothing as the Lower House passed the bill by voice-vote. In the meantime, Union Law Minister Ravishankar Prasad has said that the Bill would be introduced in Rajya Sabha (where the ruling BJP is in minority) and hoped that the Upper House would pass the bill in the interest of Muslim women.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday, all India Congress general secretary Venugopal asserted that the Congress won’t allow the passing of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha. “We have been holding consultations with allies and like-minded parties to defeat the BJP’s designs,” he added.