The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed a bill that criminalises instant divorce with three years of imprisonment for Muslim husbands after the government rejected an overwhelming demand from the Opposition to refer the legislation to a Parliamentary standing committee for detailed consideration. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 was passed by a voice vote after rejecting a resolution moved by Revolutionary Socialist Party member N.K. Premachandran that the legislation be circulated for public opinion. Various amendments moved by opposition members including Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) and Premachandran were negatived in divisions. The government's determination to get the Bill passed