NEW DELHI — India has criminalized a centuries-old practice in which Muslim men could instantly divorce their wives, a step that has polarized political parties over how deeply the government should become involved in marital and religious issues.

The practice, called triple talaq, allows Muslim men to divorce their wives by using the word “talaq,” meaning divorce in Arabic, three times in person, over the phone or even in writing or text message. The option is not available to Muslim women, who can seek a divorce only after getting permission from their husbands, a cleric or other religious authorities.

The Supreme Court last year struck down a legal provision that had permitted the practice. A new ordinance approved on Wednesday by an executive body led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes a step further, making it a criminal offense and setting a fine and a jail sentence of up to three years for men convicted of using the practice.

But the ordinance is law for only up to six months. During that period, India’s Parliament must pass the ordinance or it will become void.