TNN, New Delhi

The triple talaq Bill could not be taken up for discussion in RajyaSabha (RS) yesterday, amid demands from the opposition that it be first referred to a select committee.

The house was adjourned for the day with both sides - the opposition and the ruling party accusing each other of doing politics over an importantbill.

Leader of the opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress said that historically bills of such significance are either sent to

the standing committee or select committee but the government has failed to do so.

Parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Goel hit back saying that this was nothing but the opposition's attempt to stall the bill. "The opposition is doing politics over an importantbill, " he alleged.

With no consensus emerging and opposition parties uniting in their demand, the house was adjourned for 15 minutes.

Once the house reassembled, Anand Sharma from Congress cited Goel's statement to say that it is the government which is politicising the bill. "If Lok Sabha has not put the bill through scrutiny of a standing committee and passed the bill, Rajya Sabha cannot be a rubber stamp."

Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at this stage rose to say that the government was open to discussion and any additions that the

opposition may want to the bill. "Yahan par 'insaniyat' aur 'manaviyata' ka sawaal hai. Despite the Supreme Court orders till yesterday instant triple talaq is happening. This is why bill is important."

With the opposition unrelenting on its stand, the house was adjourned for the day.