Tensions continued to escalate in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, as at least ten Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) were suspended after protests against the handling of the proceedings. The suspended MPs, including Kalyan Banerjee, Mohammad Jawed, A Raja, Asaduddin Owaisi, Naseer Hussain, Mohibullah, Mohamed Abdullah, Arvind Sawant, Nadeem-ul Haque, and Imran Masood, have written to the Lok Sabha Speaker, urging that the proceedings be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
In the letter, the MPs expressed their dismay, stating, “As we all felt humiliated, we stood and raised our voice democratically to hear our demands. Meanwhile, the Chairman spoke in phone with somebody and suddenly and surprisingly, he ordered our suspension with shouting.”
The letter also highlighted the importance of a thorough examination of the Bill, highlighting that it deals not only with vast Waqf land holdings but also with judicial rulings from the High Courts and the Supreme Court. “Statutes and rules enacted by various state governments in this regard are also in challenge whereby conflict of interest has arisen,” the MPs noted.
They further stated that “a comprehensive study is essentially needed by the JPC to address these issues raised by the stakeholders in a holistic manner,” and criticized the chairman’s rushed approach, calling it “a riddle wrapped with hidden malice.”
The suspension took place on a day when a delegation from Jammu and Kashmir, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, appeared before the committee to share their concerns about the Waqf Amendment Bill. Mirwaiz, speaking to reporters before the meeting, strongly opposed the bill, stating that he favoured non-interference by the government in religious matters. He expressed hope that the committee would listen to their concerns and ensure that no measures were taken that would disenfranchise the Muslim community.
BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi, also a member of the JPC, criticized the Opposition for their conduct during the meeting, calling it “disgusting” and accusing them of creating disruptions and using unparliamentary language.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, introduced by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2024, aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to address challenges related to the regulation and management of Waqf properties. The bill seeks to ensure better management and transparency, but the proposed amendments have sparked controversy, particularly among Opposition MPs and religious leaders.
