Leprosy patients and human rights activists across the country had a reason to rejoice on Monday as the Lok Sabha passed a Bill seeking to remove the crippling disease as a ground for divorce. Now, the legislation awaits clearance from the Rajya Sabha.
Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha saw introduction of two Bills -- the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill 2019 and the National Commission for Homoeopathy Bill, 2019.
Replying to a discussion on ‘The Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018’, in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Law, PP Chaudhary said, “Leprosy is being removed as a ground for divorce as it is now a curable disease as against the earlier notion of it being incurable.”
The Bill which was introduced in Lok Sabha in August 2018 seeks to remove leprosy as a ground for divorce in five personal laws —Hindu Marriage Act, Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, Divorce Act (for Christians), Special Marriage Act and the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act.
Chaudhary said leprosy as a ground for divorce is a “discriminatory” provision. The Human Rights Commission and judgements of various courts had also underlined the need to amend the laws to remove this discrimination. The Bill ensures elimination of discrimination against leprosy-affected persons and provide for their integration into the mainstream of the society.
“Leprosy patients were isolated and segregated from society as the leprosy was not curable and the society was hostile to them. However, as a result of intensive healthcare and availability of modern medicine to cure the disease, the attitude of the society towards them began to change,” states the Bill.
The Law Commission in its report had also recommended repeal of laws and provisions which were discriminatory against leprosy affected people. Besides, India is a signatory to a UN Resolution which calls for elimination of discrimination against persons suffering from leprosy.
However, in the Rajya Sabha, amid the din, Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik introduced two Bills -- the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill 2019 and the National Commission for Homoeopathy Bill, 2019.
The Medicine Bill provides for a medical education system that improves access to quality and affordable medical education and ensures availability of adequate and high quality medical professionals of Indian System of Medicine in the country.
The Homeopathy Bill provide for a medical education system that improves access to quality and affordable medical education, ensures availability of adequate and high quality Homoeopathy medical professionals.
Naik also moved three Bills for Withdrawal including the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2005; The Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2005; and The Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2015.