Opposition members, including Kalyan Banerjee, Asaduddin Owaisi, and others, were suspended from the parliamentary panel on the Waqf Amendment Bill after a heated protest during the committee meeting on January 24, 2025. The suspension followed allegations that the committee’s Chairman, Jagdambika Pal, had rushed through the proceedings, prompting a chaotic session.
Suspension of Opposition Members
The opposition members who were suspended include Kalyan Banerjee, Mohammad Jawed, A Raja, Asaduddin Owaisi, Naseer Hussain, Mohibullah, Mohamed Abdullah, Arvind Sawant, Nadeem-ul Haque, and Imran Masood. The motion for their suspension was moved by BJP’s Nishikant Dubey and was subsequently passed by the committee.
Aparajita Sarangi, a BJP member, criticized the opposition for their conduct, describing it as “disgusting,” accusing them of constantly disrupting the meeting and using unparliamentary language against the Chairman, Jagdambika Pal.
Discontent Over Fast-Tracking the Waqf Amendment Bill
The committee meeting began with tensions as opposition members claimed they were not given enough time to thoroughly review the proposed changes to the Waqf Amendment Bill. The situation escalated when the Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led delegation, the religious leader of Kashmir, was invited to appear before the committee. Opposition members accused the BJP of fast-tracking the bill for political gains ahead of the Delhi elections.
Following heated arguments, the meeting was briefly adjourned, but resumed once the Mirwaiz delegation appeared. During the session, the delegation conveyed their strong reservations about provisions in the bill, which, they argued, would undermine the management and autonomy of Waqf properties and harm the welfare of Muslims, especially the underprivileged.
Walkouts and Criticism of Proceedings
Amid growing frustration, Trinamool Congress member Kalyan Banerjee and Congress member Naseer Hussain walked out of the meeting. They condemned the actions of the committee, describing the proceedings as a “farce.” The opposition members also called for the scheduled meeting on January 27, where the bill’s amendments were to be examined clause-by-clause, to be postponed to either January 30 or 31, citing insufficient time for review.
Background on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on August 8, 2024 after being introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. The bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, addressing issues related to the regulation and management of Waqf properties. The proposed amendments aim to address existing challenges while improving the efficiency of Waqf property management.
Conclusion
The suspension of opposition members from the Waqf Bill panel highlights ongoing tensions in the parliamentary process, with accusations of political maneuvering and lack of transparency surrounding the Waqf Amendment Bill. As the debate continues, opposition members remain vocal about their concerns, calling for a more thorough review of the bill and a postponement of the upcoming discussions.
