RS clears Triple Talaq Bill as BJP allies skip voting

Passed thrice by the Lok Sabha, the controversial Triple Talaq Bill cleared its toughest test in the Rajya Sabha, where the government doesn’t have the numbers. 99 MPs voted in favour of the bill after some parties, including BJP allies Janata Dal United and AIADMK, staged a walkout and abstained from voting. Their absence from voting helped bring down the effective strength of the 240-member Rajya Sabha and the majority mark. The opposition’s demand to send the bill to a select committee was rejected with only 84 members voting for it, 100 against.