New Delhi:
Ten opposition MPs have been suspended – including Trinamool’s Kalyan Banerjee, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, and one Raj from the DMK – suspended for the day from the Joint Parliamentary Committee under Section 44 of the Waqf Act of 1955. is studying the proposed changes.
The suspension followed Ruckus’ appearance at the JPC hearing on Friday.
The day’s meeting began on a stormy note; Opposition MPs slammed the proceedings, saying they were not being given enough time to study the suggested changes to the Waqf laws.
Before that the JPC was to hear from Kashmir’s religious head Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
But the delay came after opposition MPs accused others in the committee – particularly from the ruling BJP – of rushing the bill through in time for next month’s Delhi elections.
Heated arguments followed, and the delegation led by Mirwaiz appeared after the committee was reconstituted. But the peace did not last long.
Mr Banerjee and Congress’s Nasir Hussain then stormed off, complained to the committee and its proceedings became a “farce”. BJP’s Nishikant Dubey called their conduct “against parliamentary practice” and said they were trying to suppress the majority.
Behind them, as the hearing continued, Mirwaiz told the committee that he could not support the proposed changes to the Waqf laws because they meant that the government was interfering in religious matters.
He said, “We hope that our suggestions will be heard and (b) acted upon, and that no steps will be taken that might make Muslims feel that they are being disenfranchised.”
“The issue of Waqf is a very serious matter, especially for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, because it is a Muslim-majority state. A lot of people are concerned about this (and) we want the government to take action on Waqf matters. “We should refrain from interfering in this,” he told the committee.
The meetings of this committee have seen mud-fights and even physical altercations since it was set up in August last year; For example, in October, Mr Banerjee had a ‘Hulk’ moment, breaking a glass bottle on the table and throwing it at the BJP’s Jagdambika Pal, the committee chairperson.
Read | Trinamool MP explains ‘Hulk’ moment during Waqf bill meeting
After he explained his actions, another BJP MP, ex-Calcutta High Court judge Abhojit Gangopadhyay, hurled verbal abuses at his family and provoked a strong reaction.
The WAQF Amendment Bill proposes a number of changes to the way WAQF boards are administered, including nominating non-Muslim and (at least two) female members.
NDTV tells. Women, non-Muslims, cannot claim council land: Waqf changes
Additionally, the Central Waqf Council is to (if the amendments are passed) consist of a Union Minister and three MPs, along with two ex-judges, four people of ‘national repute’, and senior government officials, any of whom Is also not required from Islamic faith. Furthermore, the Council cannot claim the land.
Other proposed changes are to limit donations from Muslims who have been practicing their faith for at least five years (a provision that triggered a row over the term ‘practicing Muslim’.
Sources told NDTV that the idea is to empower Muslim women and children who were “victimized” under the old law. However, critics of the proposed changes, including opposition leaders such as Congress’s KC Venugopal, have said it is a “direct attack on freedom of religion”.
Read | Opposition targets non-Muslim provision in “draconian” Waqf bill
Meanwhile, Mr Ovisi and DMK’s Kanmozhi have argued that it violates several sections of the Constitution, including Article 15 (right to practice the religion of one’s choice) and Article 30 (right of minority communities to have their own educational institutions). including the right to establish and operate them). ,
The committee was originally asked to submit its report by November 29, but that deadline has since been extended – to the last day of the budget session of Parliament, which ends on February 13.
Read | After protests, BJP MP seeks extension for panel on Waqf bill
The extension was sought by both the Congress and the BJP.
with inputs from agencies
(TagstoTranslate) Waqf Bill (T) Waqf Bill Amendment (T) Waqf Bill Parliamentary Committee
