Modi Govt Passes amendment to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act

In a very welcome move, Modi Government has passed an amendment to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act; ensuring death penalty in case of children's abuse. 

This was long due and we all thank the BJP government and PM Narendra Modi for this act: 

Union Cabinet on Friday approved an amendment to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, seeking to ensure death penalty for aggravated sexual abuse of children. The amendment further levies heavy fine for not deleting, reporting and destroying child pornographic material. The POCSO Act, which was originally enacted in 2012, was later modified to make it as foolproof as possible.

Briefing the media, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Our children should be protected from sexual offences. Now, those taking advantage of children in heinous ways will be severely punished".

https://www.newsnation.in/india-news/death-penalty-for-aggravated-assault-under-law-on-sexual-crimes-against-children-ravi-shankar-prasad-article-210077.html

Modi Govt Passes The Muslim Women Bill 2018 Against Triple Talaq

In a very welcome move, the BJP Government has passed The Muslim Women Bill 2018 which criminalizes so called "Triple Talaq". 

The Muslim Women Bill 2018, which criminalises triple talaq, was on Thursday passed in the Lok Sabha. The bill was passed despite opposition parties, including the Congress, the AIADMK and the Samajwadi Party, staging a walkout before the voting on the bill began.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad replied to the debate on behalf of the government, asserting that the bill was not aimed at targeting any particular community or religion. He accused the Congress and other opposition parties of opposition the bill with the intention of protecting their votebanks.

http://zeenews.india.com/india/triple-talaq-bill-passed-in-lok-sabha-after-walkout-by-congress-led-opposition-2166312.html

This is a very welcome step and this will improve the life of millions of potentially impacted women in future. Triple Talaq was considered a shame by most people who care for women's rights and it is surprising how long this practice sustained itself, thanks largely to the minority vote bank politics of the Congress Party which has been in power in India most part of its post-independent history. 

With Triple Talaq gone, we can hope for more such moves being made for the Muslim Women's rights. India must serve as a good example for other nations in the neighborhood who are still plagued by archaic laws of a gone era. 

Thank you Mr. Modi and government for passing this bill. 

Modi Govt Passes Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 Banning Commercial Surrogacy

In a very welcome move, Lok Sabha has passed a bill which bans commercial surrogacy:

A bill that bars commercial surrogacy and allows only close relatives to act as surrogates to needy infertile couples for altruistic reasons was passed by the Lok Sabha Wednesday with Health Minister J P Nadda terming the proposed legislation historic. The 'Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016' was passed after an hour-long debate amid noisy protests by Congress and AIADMK members over various issues.

Nadda said different sections of society, political parties, the Supreme Court and the Law Commission have spoken against commercial surrogacy and that the bill addresses these concerns. India had become a hub of commercial surrogacy and surrogate mothers also suffered from exploitation, he told the House. "The bill protects women from exploitation and ensures the rights of the child born through surrogacy. It has been a demand from all sections of society," he said.

The bill proposes complete ban on commercial surrogacy, but altruistic surrogacy will be permitted for needy infertile couple under strict regulation. The bill entitles only Indian citizens to avail surrogacy. Foreigners, NRIs and PIOs are not allowed to seek surrogacy in the country. 

https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/lok-sabha-passes-bill-which-bans-commercial-surrogacy/67170854

This is a very good step by our government. India had become a hub for global population seeking to exploit poor Indian women by making them act like surrogates while they went on with their life. This practice not only degraded women and made them appear like a vessel or a machine, but was also a disgrace on humanity. It is no surprise that this practice is already banned in so many advance or developed countries in the world.

It is also surprising how long it took for Indian government to wake up to the menace. Vested interests from the hospital business would have liked this practice to continue - after all they earn dollars from foreigners through this business. But turning motherhood and child bearing process into money-making business is something which intellectuals must think about.

Better late than never. It is a good news that the current government which is lead by our popular PM Narendra Modi is taking care of so many social issues which have been ignored for decades. At the same time, it looks like shame that the principal opposition party Congress even opposed this bill since it has gotten itself into a trance like situation where it ends up opposing whatever the Modi Government does. The opposition party should apply some mind before opposing such moves. 

Once again, thank you PM Modi and BJP government at the center for this good decision taken for our country.