New Delhi: A ruckus during the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 on Friday led to the suspension of 10 opposition MPs for a day. The suspended MPs include Kalyan Banerjee, Md. Jawaid, A Raja, Asaduddin Owaisi, Nasir Hussain, Mohibullah, M. Abdullah, Arvind Sawant, Nadimul Haq, and Imran Masood.
Opposition Alleges Undemocratic Conduct
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee accused JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal of running the proceedings like a “jamindari” and ignoring opposition voices. Banerjee claimed the opposition’s request to reschedule meetings after January 30 was ignored, accusing the chairman of rushing proceedings for political gain ahead of the Delhi elections.
“We are witnessing undeclared Emergency proceedings. The chairman refuses to respect opposition members or allow comprehensive discussions,” Banerjee alleged.
Congress MP Nasir Hussain echoed the concerns, criticizing the government for hurrying the process and claiming the JPC had been reduced to a farce.
BJP Hits Back at Opposition
BJP MP and JPC member Nishikant Dubey accused the opposition of disrupting parliamentary democracy. He alleged that the opposition, particularly Asaduddin Owaisi, objected to the lack of full representation from Jammu and Kashmir and then resorted to unruly behavior.
“Despite accommodating their suggestion to reschedule, the opposition created a ruckus during the meeting, misbehaving and acting against parliamentary norms,” Dubey said.
History of Tensions in JPC on Waqf Bill
This isn’t the first instance of chaos during JPC meetings on the Waqf Amendment Bill. In October, tensions escalated when Kalyan Banerjee allegedly hurled a glass bottle toward chairman Jagdambika Pal during a heated exchange, injuring himself.
With both sides trading barbs, the controversy highlights deep divisions over the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. As the JPC prepares to finalize its report, calls for detailed discussions and transparency continue to clash with accusations of political motivations and disruptions.
