New Delhi: In a historic decision, the Union Cabinet approved an ordinance making triple talaq a punishable offence on Wednesday.

This comes after the government failed to pass it through both houses of the Parliament.

The Muslim Women Protection of Rights in Marriage Act was cleared by the Lok Sabha last year, and this triple talaq ordinance would have similar provisions.

MyNation broke the story first on August 10 that the Modi government is going to take the ordinance route against triple talaq.

Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Triple Talaq Bill: Parliament adjourned sine die, but Modi sarkar will bring it through ordinance

There was stiff resistance against the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, with Opposition lawmakers arguing that it must be sent to a Select Committee for closer inspection.

The Centre had sought the opinion of all state governments on the subject following this, and most of them were in favour of the Bill.

This Bill makes triple talaq a punishable offence with a proposed three-year jail sentence for a Muslim man who divorces his wife by saying ‘talaq’ thrice. This includes the instant talaq delivered in any form – oral, telephonic, electronic medium – illegal.