The report of the Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was tabled in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Thursday, sparking a fierce protest from opposition members. The controversy centered around the redaction of dissent notes in the report, which were opposed by the committee’s chairman, Jagdambika Pal.
Opposition’s Protest: Undemocratic Actions Alleged
The opposition accused the committee chairman of undemocratic actions after parts of their dissent notes were removed. These sections allegedly cast aspersions on the parliamentary panel and made personal allegations against the chairman. As a result, opposition members stormed the Wells of both Houses to protest what they called an “undemocratic” action.
In the Rajya Sabha, BJP member Medha Kulkarni tabled the voluminous report amid loud opposition protests. Later, Kulkarni also tabled a corrigendum to Appendix 5 of the report, which deals with the dissent notes, prompting the opposition to claim a partial victory.
Home Minister Amit Shah’s Response
Despite the protests, Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the BJP had no objections to attaching the dissent notes in their entirety, in line with parliamentary tradition. In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla said that the dissent notes, along with the committee’s findings, had been included in an annexure, as discussed with him by the committee members.
As opposition members walked out in protest, Birla confirmed that the annexure included the dissent notes as part of the report, addressing their concerns.
Opposition MPs Accuse BJP of Misleading the House
In the Rajya Sabha, tensions escalated when Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju rejected allegations from opposition MPs, led by Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, that their dissent notes had been redacted. Congress MP Syed Nasir Hussain accused Rijiju of misleading the House, stating that his own dissent note had been deleted from the report.
Rijiju clarified that the JPC chairman had the authority to redact parts of dissent notes that contained inappropriate or unparliamentary language. “The chairman, perhaps, used that power, which is in line with the rules,” Rijiju explained, stressing that everything had been carried out according to parliamentary norms.
JPC Report Adopted by Majority Vote
The Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill had adopted the report with a 15-11 majority vote, with significant input from ruling BJP members, prompting the opposition to accuse the committee of trying to undermine the Waqf boards. The committee’s report proposes amendments that have been heavily critiqued by opposition parties, who claim that they would lead to the destruction of Waqf institutions.
BJP’s Response: Allegations of Anti-National Politics
In response to the protests, BJP President J.P. Nadda accused the opposition of engaging in “anti-national politics” and attempting to score political points rather than debating the issue. Nadda stated, “It is unfortunate that, despite the minister’s clarification, opposition members continue to mislead the House.”
He further criticized the opposition’s walkout, claiming it was an effort to promote “anti-national activities” and divide the country.
Rajya Sabha Chaos Over Dissent Notes
The Rajya Sabha was plunged into chaos during the post-lunch session when opposition members, including Mallikarjun Kharge and DMK’s Tiruchi Siva, demanded that the report be withdrawn and sent back to the committee for reconsideration.
Union Minister for Environment Bhupender Yadav defended the redactions, quoting parliamentary rules that give the chairman the authority to expunge words from the dissent notes deemed inappropriate or unparliamentary.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress member Saket Gokhale argued that the issue was not religious but constitutional, calling on Kiren Rijiju to clarify the redactions further.
The Mandal Commission Parallel
As tensions reached a boiling point, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar compared the Waqf Amendment Bill report to the Mandal Commission report, noting that both represented significant changes in social justice matters. Dhankhar thanked the government for tabling the corrigendum to Appendix 5, but opposition MPs were quick to point out that the change had occurred under their pressure.
Final Stages: Walkout and Chaos in the Rajya Sabha
The day’s proceedings saw repeated disruptions, including a walkout by opposition members in the Rajya Sabha. As the House was adjourned to a later time, Dhankhar expressed frustration over the lack of order when President Droupadi Murmu’s message was being read out. Opposition MPs continued to demand the withdrawal of the report, while the BJP accused them of using the issue for political posturing.
Kharge dismissed the report as “fake,” arguing that it should be sent back to the committee for a thorough review.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill report remains unresolved as both Houses of Parliament witnessed fierce protests and debates. The opposition has raised concerns over the integrity of the report and its impact on the Waqf boards, while the BJP has defended the process as being in line with parliamentary rules. The matter is likely to continue to spark heated debate as it moves forward.
