Disruption in JPC Meeting Over Waqf Amendment Bill: 10 Opposition MPs Suspended
A heated exchange erupted during a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) established to discuss the Waqf Amendment Bill, resulting in the suspension of ten opposition members of parliament for one day, The Tribune reported.
The confrontation occurred between TMC member Kalyan Banerjee and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey when Banerjee questioned the urgency of convening the meeting. This prompted a strong objection from Dubey, leading to a severe verbal altercation between the two leaders, which forced a temporary adjournment of the session.
Kalyan Banerjee raised concerns about the necessity of calling the meeting so hastily, questioning whether there was a specific reason for the expedited decision on the bill. In response, Nishikant Dubey emphasized that the government deemed the bill significant and required prompt resolution. The exchange escalated to the point where it disrupted the proceedings, necessitating a pause in the meeting.
As tensions rose, the committee decided to suspend ten opposition members who had intervened in the debate. This suspension further intensified the contentious atmosphere, leading to the decision to adjourn the meeting until January 27.
Religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from Kashmir is expected to present his objections before the committee during this session, along with other notable figures, including representatives from the ‘Lawyers for Justice’ group.
After the meeting, BJP member Nishikant Dubey stated that the purpose of the Waqf Bill is to benefit Muslims and to bring transparency to Waqf institutions. He asserted the necessity of passing the bill swiftly to improve the administration of these institutions and enhance the welfare of Muslims in the country.
Conversely, opposition parties have expressed their opposition to the bill, arguing that it undermines the interests of Muslims and grants the government excessive control over Waqf institutions. They contend that the government should ensure the protection of Muslim rights within the bill and call for necessary amendments.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was introduced in the Indian Lok Sabha on 8 August 2024. It seeks to repeal Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923 and amend the Waqf Act, 1995. The Act allegedly regulates waqf property in India, and defines Waqf as an endowment of movable or immovable property for purposes considered pious, religious, or charitable under Muslim law.
