The second JPC meeting on the Waqf Board, Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, held on Friday. The meeting turned contentious as heated arguments erupted between BJP members and Opposition MPs. Muslim organizations invited to the meeting expressed strong reservations about the proposed amendments.
During the marathon session, tensions rose as Opposition MPs frequently interrupted BJP parliamentarians. This led to accusations from BJP members that they were being prevented from presenting their views. In response, Opposition MPs accused the ruling party of disregarding democratic norms and resorting to personal attacks.
A particularly intense exchange occurred between BJP’s Dilip Saikia and AAP’s Sanjay Singh. Singh criticized the BJP, claiming that the party neither understands nor adheres to the Constitution. He also accused the BJP of being more focused on “grabbing power” than on governance. Singh further highlighted issues in Delhi, where the AAP is in power, mentioning the arrest of party leaders and the proposal to empower District Collectors to decide on disputed Waqf property ownership, including non-Muslims in Waqf boards.
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The concept of ‘Waqf by User’ also sparked considerable debate among MPs. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, opposing the Bill, submitted a written note to JPC head Jagdambika Pal. A heated argument between Owaisi and BJP’s Abhijit Gangopadhyay further escalated tensions, with Owaisi protesting what he perceived as an “insulting” remark.
The boiling point was reached when Opposition MPs staged a walkout after a representative from a Muslim body was denied the opportunity to speak for a second time. Among those who walked out were Owaisi, A. Raja, Imran Masood, Mohammad Abdulla, and Arvind Sawant. However, they later returned to the meeting.
Opposition MPs seized the opportunity to poke fun. He questioned whether the Bill was for India or “Akhand Bharat.”
Muslim organizations, including the All India Sunni Jamiat-e-Ulama, formally submitted their objections to the Waqf Bill in JPC meeting on Waqf Board. They argued against the interference of government in matters pertaining to the Waqf, which is central to the Muslim community. The Indian Muslim for Civil Rights also criticized the Bill. The outfit’s president, former MP Mohammad Adeeb, labeled it as “illegal” and accusing the government of meddling in religious affairs.
At the previous Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting on August 22, several Opposition members had already voiced concerns that the Bill’s provisions violated fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, religious freedom, and equality. These concerns continued to dominate the discussions in the second meeting, with the next rounds scheduled for September 5 and 6.