Indian parliament approves a bill to end "instant divorce"

The upper house of parliament, Rajya Sabha passed the Muslim Women Bill with a 99-84 approval, making the practice punishable with up to three years in jail. In addition, the legislation will require Muslim men to provide financial support to their spouses, who will obtain custody of any children involved should a couple agree to separate on mutual terms.

"Triple talaq" is a practice under which a Muslim man can divorce his wife by simply uttering "talaq" - the Arabic word for divorce - three times. It is prevalent among India's Muslims, a majority of whom follow the Hanafi Islamic school of law.