Ruckus in JPC Meeting Over Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 Leads to Suspension of 10 Opposition MPs
the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 turned chaotic on January 24, 2025, resulting in the suspension of 10 Opposition MPs. The heated exchange between ruling party leaders adn Opposition members escalated quickly,with accusations of highhandedness and procedural violations dominating the discourse.
What Sparked the Chaos?
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The meeting, held in the Parliament premises, saw Opposition MPs protesting against the sudden change in the agenda.instead of a clause-by-clause discussion, the focus shifted to hearing representations from stakeholders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent cleric from Jammu and Kashmir.
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, one of the suspended MPs, criticized the proceedings, stating, “It is like an undeclared emergency going on in the meeting…Chairman is proceeding with this (meeting) and he doesn’t listen to anyone…They (BJP MPs) think that they are deputy PM and deputy home minister.” He further added, “This is a complete farce…we were told there will be a meeting on 24th and 25th January. Now,for today’s meeting,the agenda has been changed.”
Suspended MPs and Reactions
The suspended MPs include Kalyan Banerjee (TMC), 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).
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey defended the suspension, accusing the Opposition of creating a ruckus. He saeid, “They created a ruckus and misbehaved in front of cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq of Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema, this is against parliamentary democracy.” Dubey also emphasized that the JPC chairman had postponed the meeting to hear Farooq’s representation, highlighting the opposition’s alleged disregard for due process.
Key Points of Contention
The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 aims to address long-standing issues with the Waqf Act of 1995, which has been criticized for corruption, encroachments, and mismanagement. The proposed amendments include legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties, improved clarity, enhanced audits, and digitization.
Though, Opposition MPs argue that the bill was rushed without adequate consultation with stakeholders. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq emphasized the need for broader engagement, stating, “The government should not have been in s
Chaos in JPC Meeting over Waqf Amendment Bill 2024: Expert Insights
The recent Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 turned chaotic, leading to the suspension of 10 Opposition MPs. To understand the implications adn underlying issues,we spoke with Dr. Ayesha Khan, a legal expert and scholar specializing in religious and constitutional law.Here’s an in-depth discussion on the events and their broader meaning.
What Sparked the Chaos in the JPC meeting?
Senior Editor: Dr.Khan, the JPC meeting on january 24, 2025, saw heated exchanges and the suspension of 10 MPs. What do you think led to this chaos?
Dr. Ayesha Khan: The primary trigger was the sudden change in the meeting’s agenda. Instead of a clause-by-clause discussion, the focus shifted to hearing representations from stakeholders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent cleric from Jammu and Kashmir. This abrupt shift angered Opposition MPs, who felt sidelined and accused the ruling party of procedural violations. The situation escalated quickly, with accusations of highhandedness dominating the discourse.
Suspended mps and Reactions: A Breakdown
Senior Editor: Ten MPs were suspended, including Kalyan Banerjee (TMC) and Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM). How do you view these suspensions?
Dr. Ayesha Khan: The suspensions reflect the deepening divide between the ruling party and the Opposition. While BJP MP Nishikant Dubey defended the action, stating that the MPs misbehaved in front of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, opposition leaders like Kalyan Banerjee criticized the proceedings as undemocratic. Banerjee’s comment about an “undeclared emergency” highlights the frustration over perceived unilateral decision-making. This incident underscores the challenges of maintaining parliamentary decorum in highly polarized environments.
Key Points of Contention in the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024
Senior Editor: The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 aims to reform the Waqf Act of 1995. What are the key issues at stake?
Dr. Ayesha Khan: The bill seeks to address long-standing issues like corruption, encroachments, and mismanagement in Waqf properties.Proposed amendments include legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties, enhanced audits, and digitization. Though, the Opposition argues that the bill was rushed without adequate consultation with stakeholders. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq emphasized the need for broader engagement, stating that the government should have involved all relevant parties to ensure a balanced approach. this lack of inclusivity has fueled the controversy.
Broader Implications for Parliamentary Democracy
Senior Editor: What does this incident reveal about the state of parliamentary democracy in India?
Dr. Ayesha khan: This incident highlights the fragility of parliamentary processes when trust between the ruling party and the Opposition erodes. The suspension of MPs and the accusations of procedural violations reflect a broader trend of diminishing bipartisan cooperation.For parliamentary democracy to thrive, it’s essential to ensure openness, inclusivity, and respect for due process. The chaos in the JPC meeting serves as a reminder of the need for constructive dialog and consensus-building in legislative processes.
Conclusion
The JPC meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 underscores the complexities of legislative reforms in a polarized political environment. The suspension of 10 Opposition MPs and the heated exchanges reveal deep-seated issues of trust and procedural fairness. As Dr. Ayesha Khan pointed out, the path forward lies in fostering inclusivity and ensuring that all stakeholders are heard. Onyl then can meaningful reforms be achieved without compromising the principles of parliamentary democracy.
