The government accused the Congress Thursday of taking a confusing stand on the bill to criminalise triple talaq and asked it to move beyond “kintu, parantu” and stand up for the rights of women suffering due to triple talaq. The Congress had not opposed the bill but wanted it sent to a standing committee. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that as many as 22 Islamic nations had chosen to regulate triple talaq with penal provisions but India had been dragging its feet. “I would like to put this question in front of the House. Islamic nations have regulated triple talaq. India is a secular country, a republic. If in our country tyranny is being unleashed on women through triple talaq, should we stay quiet? It’s a big question that the House must answer,” Prasad said while introducing the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill. The bill was eventually passed by Lok Sabha despite Opposition members objecting to criminalisation of what they said was a civil matter and absence of provisions for maintenance of the divorced wife in the Bill. Prasad said, “I find the Congress stand on this bill to be quite confusing. You are supporting the bill but also have many ifs and buts. Don’t get caught up in doubt. Stand with us if you support the bill.” Calling the bill a historic one, Prasad urged everyone to rise above party politics and support the bill. “I appeal to this House and the biggest panchayat that please do not see this bill from the prism of politics,” he said, adding it should neither be confined within the walls of political parties, nor should it be looked as vote bank politics.