A heated confrontation erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday over the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, with the Opposition accusing the government of deleting their dissent notes. The uproar disrupted proceedings on the final day of the first half of the Budget Session.
As soon as BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni tabled the JPC report, Opposition members shouted slogans, accusing the government of suppressing dissent and acting in an anti-democratic manner.
Kharge: ‘This Report Must Be Taken Back’
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge strongly opposed the report, calling it “anti-constitutional and anti-democratic.” He alleged that the dissent notes submitted by Opposition MPs had been erased, undermining the legitimacy of the report.
“Many members gave their dissent notes. It’s not right to remove them and bulldoze our views. This is an anti-democratic move. I condemn this report,” Kharge said.
He urged Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, to reject the report until the dissenting views were reinstated.
Govt Dismisses Allegations
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed the Opposition’s claims, insisting that the dissent notes were included in the appendix of the report.
“These are false allegations. There has been no violation of rules. The Opposition is misleading the House,” Rijiju said.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also accused the Opposition of creating confusion and disrupting House proceedings.
What the Report Says
The JPC report, which was submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 31, was based on six months of deliberations across India. JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal said the committee adopted the draft bill by a 15-11 majority vote.
The BJP-backed amendments seek to bring “transparency and accountability” to Waqf Boards, according to the government. However, the Opposition argues that the bill is an attack on minority rights and an unwarranted interference in Waqf management.
Despite the government’s assurances, the Opposition has vowed to continue protests until their dissent notes are officially acknowledged in the report.
