The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 witnessed high drama on Friday, leading to the suspension of 10 opposition MPs for a day. The decision followed heated exchanges and accusations of authoritarian conduct by the committee’s chairperson, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal.
The suspended MPs include Kalyan Banerjee (Trinamool Congress), Md. Jawaid, A. Raja, Asaduddin Owaisi, Nasir Hussain, Mohibullah, M. Abdullah, Arvind Sawant, Nadimul Haq, and Imran Masood.
Opposition Alleges ‘Undeclared Emergency’
Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee criticized the chairman for allegedly ignoring opposition voices and conducting the proceedings in a manner he likened to “jamindari.”
“We repeatedly requested for the meeting to be held on January 30 and 31, but our requests were ignored. When we landed in Delhi last night, the subject of the meeting was changed. They are rushing through things because of the Delhi elections — it is politically motivated,” Banerjee said, adding, “This JPC has become a farce.”
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The opposition MPs accused the BJP-led government of rushing the approval of the Waqf Amendment Bill without adequate review. They argued that the process lacked transparency and respect for democratic procedures.
BJP Defends Decision to Suspend Opposition MPs
The suspension motion was moved by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who condemned the opposition’s conduct as disruptive and detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi also slammed the opposition for their behavior during the meeting. “The opposition used very unparliamentary language against the JPC chairperson, Jagdambika Pal, a senior leader. It was disgusting. We want discussions to proceed, but the JPC cannot continue indefinitely,” Sarangi stated.
The JPC proceedings were further disrupted when opposition members protested the government’s decision to invite Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a Kashmiri religious leader, to the discussions.
Recurring Tensions in JPC on Waqf Bill
This is not the first time the JPC on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 has faced disruptions. In October 2023, an altercation between Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee and BJP MP Abhijit Gangopadhyay turned violent, resulting in Banerjee smashing a glass bottle and sustaining injuries.
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The contentious Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 seeks to amend the governance structure of waqf properties across India, a subject that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties.
Opposition leaders have alleged that the government’s push to expedite the bill is linked to the upcoming Delhi elections. The incident underscores the growing tensions between the ruling BJP and opposition parties, with each side accusing the other of undermining parliamentary norms.
As the JPC grapples with disruptions, the fate of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 hangs in the balance. The ongoing political drama highlights the deep divisions within the parliamentary process.
