Opposition protests disrupt JPC meeting on Waqf Amendment Bill; 10 MPs suspended

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

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New Delhi, Jan 24: The meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 commenced today at 11 a.m. However, opposition members raised protests as soon as the session began, accusing the committee of not providing enough time for research on the proposed amendments in the draft bill. 10 opposition MPs were suspended for a day following the chaos.

The JPC, chaired by Jagdambika Pal, was initially scheduled to hear the views of a delegation led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a religious leader from Kashmir. However, before the delegation could be invited, heated argument broke out among committee members.

Opposition leaders alleged that the BJP is hastening the process to present the report on the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, with the upcoming Delhi elections in mind. Following the protests, the meeting was temporarily suspended due to the ongoing disruptions.

In a subsequent decision, Jagdambika Pal suspended 10 opposition MPs for one day. The suspended MPs include Asaduddin Owaisi, Kalyan Banerjee, Md. Jawaid, A Raja, Nasir Hussain, Mohibullah, M. Abdullah, Arvind Sawant, Nadimul Haq, and Imran Masood.

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After the suspensions, the committee proceeded to hear the views of the Kashmir delegation.

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JPC Chairman accuses Kalyan Banerjee of using unparliamentary language

Regarding the disruption in the meeting, JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal stated that the house was adjourned twice. He mentioned that TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee used unparliamentary language against him and insulted him.

Pal further explained that he repeatedly requested Banerjee to allow the invited speakers to present their views. Despite the multiple adjournments, the opposition MPs did not want the meeting to continue.

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He also noted that a delegation from Jammu and Kashmir had arrived, but the opposition MPs kept shouting and raising slogans. Eventually, Nishikant Dubey had to present a motion to suspend the MPs, which was agreed upon by all.

BJP’s rebuttal and opposition claims

Regarding the disruption in the JPC meeting, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey stated that he had never stopped the opposition from speaking. He mentioned that whenever meetings were held in the past, he was never given the opportunity to speak. Dubey expressed that the kind of misconduct displayed today was unacceptable.

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee accused the BJP MPs of speaking whatever came to their minds. Opposition MPs in the JPC raised questions about the reason for calling an ad-hoc meeting.

“We repeatedly requested 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. Initially, we were informed that the meeting would proceed clause by clause. What is happening inside feels like an undeclared emergency. They are rushing through things because of the Delhi elections — it is politically motivated. The chairman doesn’t listen to anyone; it feels like ‘jamindari’. They show no respect for opposition members. This JPC has become a farce,” Kalyan Banerjee said.

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BJP MP Radhamohan Agrawal termed today’s disruption as unfortunate, stating that members of the INDI alliance prevented social and religious representatives from Kashmir from speaking and entered the well of the house.

He added that, forced to take action, the Joint Parliamentary Committee suspended these members and listened to the views of the Jammu and Kashmir representatives.

Notably, opposition MPs wanted a clause-by-clause discussion on January 31, but the committee chair remained firm on the date of January 27. Initially, discussions were scheduled for January 24 and 25, but these dates were suddenly changed to January 27, which led to objections from the MPs.