NEW DELHI: The Joint Committee of Parliament that met on Monday to discuss the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, saw opposition MPs boycott the meeting, alleging that the panel did not function as per rules. The opposition MPs alleged Anwar Manippadi of making unnecessary charges against Karnataka government and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Opposition MPs like Gaurav Gogoi and Imran Masood of the Congress, A Raja of the DMK, Arvind Sawant of the Shiv Sena (UBT), AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, Samjwadi Party’s Mohibbullah and Sanjay Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party, staged a walk out and expressed strong sentiments against its proceedings.
“We have boycotted because the committee is not functioning with principles and norms of the committee. Ethically and principally they are wrong…”, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said.
In view of this, opposition MPs have decided to approach Lok Sabha Speaker and flag their concerns over the Waqf Bill.
The committee is expected to convene again on Tuesday, to hear oral evidence from representatives of the ministry of minority affairs.
On September 28, as part of its nationwide consultation exercise on the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Joint Parliamentary Committee held a meeting in Hyderabad with various stakeholders.
Speaking at the meeting, the JPC chief Jagdambika Pal said, “We held discussions with the Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman, Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board Chairman. Stakeholders from 42 organisations participated in the discussions. We are holding discussions with stakeholders across various cities. From here, we will go to Chennai and then Bangalore. Earlier, we went to Ahmedabad and Mumbai. We are also going to Delhi. We have to submit the report before next Parliament session and we will discuss with as many stakeholders as possible and make a comprehensive report.”