National
Bill on triple talaq unwarranted, politically motivated: CPI-M
New Delhi, Dec 26 (IANS) The Narendra Modi government’s move to bring a bill criminalising triple talaq (instant divorce in a single sitting) is unwarranted and politically motivated, the Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) said on Tuesday.
The Modi government is likely to introduce the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, which makes instant divorce a criminal offence that would attract a jail term of up to three years, this week in Parliament.
“When the Supreme Court has already banned the triple talaq, there is no need to bring such a law. If divorce has not happened in the first place, where does the need to criminalise the act arise?” CPI-M Lok Sabha MP Mohammed Salim told IANS.
“As far as demanding a ban on the practice of triple talaq is concerned, we have been raising this issue when politicians like Narendra Modi had not even heard of the term triple talaq. But we recognise that divorce is a civil matter and there is no need to criminalise it,” he added.
He said that the present bill is “arbitrary” and “politically motivated” as no stakeholders such as the Muslim community, women rights groups, civil society and Muslim scholars, had been consulted on the need and shape of such a legislation.
“The government has said that the practice of triple talaq is rampant even after the Supreme Court banning it. Does the government have any empirical evidence to back this claim? Where is the data and who conducted the survey?” he said.
Salim said there is no need to make a national law on something that is not practiced widely.
He said that triple talaq cases are few and far apart and that too among uneducated people in remote areas.
“There are other issues with this too. For example, if a man is jailed for uttering ‘talaq, talaq talaq’, who will take care of his dependents, including the wife and children? How will this man be able to pay the lawyers to defend himself in the court?” the CPI-M leader said.
He said that a more practical approach would be to strengthen Section 498 and triple talaq can be brought under the ambit of domestic violence.
He said that there are many other issues of national concern such as farmers’ plight and agrarian crisis, but the Modi government “is not concerned” about them.
“As for women rights, what is this government doing to stop women trafficking?” the MP demanded to know.
He said that if the government is adamant on introducing the bill in Parliament, his party would demand that it should be referred to the Standing Committee for consideration and have a “more holistic view on the legislation”.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.