Opposition members of the parliamentary committee discussing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill staged another walkout on Monday, protesting the inclusion of individuals who, they argued, had “no stake in the Waqf Amendment Bill.” Notable members who walked out included Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM), Mohammad Jawed (Congress), and Mohibbullah Nadvi (Samajwadi Party). Although they later rejoined the meeting, their temporary absence highlighted ongoing tensions within the committee.
Dispute Over Delhi Waqf Board Report
The walkout was triggered by the submission of a report from the Delhi Waqf Board administrator to the committee chair, which opposition members claimed was done without approval from the Delhi government. A letter from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to committee chair Jagdambika Pal asserted that the report should be considered “null and void” due to the lack of state-level consent.
TMC MP’s Suspension
This meeting followed a previous incident where TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee was suspended for a day after reportedly smashing a glass bottle during an argument with BJP member Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a former Calcutta High Court judge. The panel chair, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, alleged that Banerjee attempted to “hit the Chair” with the bottle. This incident escalated tensions, with BJP members demanding criminal charges and further suspension for Banerjee.
Scheduled Sessions and Opposition’s Ongoing Dissent
During Monday’s session, the committee heard from representatives of the Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttarakhand Waqf Boards. Additional sessions were scheduled with former high court and Supreme Court lawyers, ‘Call for Justice’, and the Waqf Tenant Welfare Association of Delhi.
Opposition walkouts have become a recurring event at Waqf panel meetings. On October 14, members exited after a BJP-aligned former office-bearer of the Karnataka State Minorities Commission reportedly made comments about Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge regarding Waqf land allocations.
A Polarized Debate
With rising disagreements and multiple walkouts, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill committee has become a site of intense contention, illustrating the polarized perspectives between ruling and opposition parties over Waqf board matters and the amendment’s implications.
