10 opposition MPs suspended after disruption in JPC meeting on Waqf Amendment Bill

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 saw significant disruption on January 24, leading to the suspension of 10 opposition MPs. The suspended MPs include Kalyan Banerjee (Trinamool Congress), Md. Jawed (Congress), A Raja (DMK), Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM), Nasir Hussain (Congress), Mohibullah (Samajwadi Party), M. Abdullah (DMK), Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena-UBT), Nadeem ul Haq (TMC), and Imran Masood (Congress). The suspension followed a series of heated exchanges between the ruling party and opposition MPs over the committee's proceedings.

The meeting, which was intended for a clause-by-clause discussion of the Waqf Amendment Bill, was marred by complaints from opposition MPs regarding the insufficient time given to review the proposed changes to the bill. Opposition members also raised objections to the last-minute change in the agenda, which they claimed was not communicated to them in advance. This led to further contention, with opposition leaders accusing the committee chairman, Jagdambika Pal, of not being receptive to their concerns.

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee was particularly vocal in his criticism. He alleged that despite repeated requests to hold the meeting on January 30 or 31, the committee went ahead with the scheduled meeting on January 24. Banerjee described the proceedings as being conducted in an authoritarian manner, using the term "jamindari" to characterize the way the session was being run. He and several other opposition MPs walked out of the meeting, declaring the session a "farce."

In response to the disruption, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey moved a motion for the suspension of the opposition MPs, which was adopted by the committee. Dubey criticized the opposition's behavior during the meeting, particularly the use of unparliamentary language directed at Chairman Jagdambika Pal. BJP leaders, including Aparajita Sarangi, condemned the actions of the opposition MPs, calling them disrespectful and inappropriate for a parliamentary proceeding.

The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, which aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, was referred to the JPC in August 2024 after being introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju. The bill seeks to address several challenges in the management of Waqf properties, including provisions for the reclamation of illegally occupied properties, increased transparency, digitization, and enhanced auditing mechanisms. Supporters of the bill argue that the proposed changes are necessary to curb corruption and improve the administration of Waqf properties.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent religious leader from Kashmir, was invited to provide his testimony before the committee regarding the bill's implications. Farooq raised concerns about several provisions, particularly the lack of consultation with stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh before drafting the bill. He also claimed that certain articles of the Indian Constitution were being violated and urged the committee to reconsider the bill’s approach. Following his deposition, the committee briefly adjourned before continuing discussions on the bill. The JPC report on the Waqf Amendment Bill is scheduled to be submitted to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha on January 29, ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament.