New Delhi,
A day after the contentious legislation was “moved” by the government in the Rajya Sabha, the Muslim Women Bill continued to hang fire in the House, where the ruling BJP is in minority.

With neither the BJP-led government nor a united Opposition willing to cede ground, the stalemate is expected to continue. Tomorrow is the last day of the winter session and for any forward movement, the government has to agree to a division of votes on the two resolutions moved by the Opposition for sending the Bill to a select committee.

In contrast to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s argument terming these “invalid”, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien made it clear that the Opposition resolutions were “valid”.

After Anand Sharma (Congress) and SS Roy (TMC) moved resolutions for sending the Bill to a select committee, the House witnessed acrimonious scenes, following which it was adjourned.

Jaitley’s contention was that the resolutions moved by the Opposition leaders were not as per rules and hence “illegal”. He also said the composition of the select committee proposed by Sharma did not reflect the true character of the House. “Saboteurs of the Bill cannot be on the committee,” Jaitley said.

According to Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, by bringing the Bill in the current form (proposing a three-year jail term for the accused husband), the government was trying to “finish Muslim women”. He also wanted the clause related to providing maintenance to the affected woman be included in the Bill. “We want to empower the Muslim women. It is they (government) who are playing foul,” TMC’s Derek O’Brien said. It remains to be seen whether the government will list the Bill tomorrow .