The Congress wants the triple talaq bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha last week, to be watered down before it comes up for consideration in the Rajya Sabha later this week.The current bill recognises divorce by triple talaq as a non-bailable offence and prescribes a maximum prison sentence of up to three years for a person found guilty of divorcing via triple talaq. Clause 4 in the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, renders the offence 'non-bailable' with a prison term up to three years along with a fine.

The Congress has asked the government to make triple talaq a permissive offence and that punishment be decreased to a two-year maximum sentence. The party feels that such a stringent action may hamper the reconciliation of spouses.Sources in the Congress have told that Congress President Rahul Gandhi does not want the party's official stand to seem like they are opposed to the Bill.

The Bill outlaw triple talaq, and has condition for a maximum three-year jail term and fine for practising this form of divorce. It also gives Muslim women the right to seek maintenance and the right to a child's custody. Giving instant talaq would be a cognisable, non-bailable offence.