Several opposition MPs, including Sanjay Singh, Kalyan Banerjee, Gaurav Gogoi, A Raja, Mohamed Abdulla, and Arvind Sawant, staged a walkout during a joint committee meeting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Tuesday. According to reports, the opposition leaders exited the session after alleging offensive remarks made by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member.
The meeting of the Joint Committee of Parliament, which has been characterized by contentious exchanges between BJP and Opposition members, escalated on Monday. Opposition MPs voiced their concerns about the inclusion of members from Hindu organizations to testify on legislation primarily affecting the Muslim community. This raised questions about the committee’s approach and impartiality.
This marks the second consecutive day of conflict between opposition and BJP members, as similar disagreements led to a walkout the previous day. The ongoing rift highlights the deepening divisions over the Waqf Bill discussions.
#WATCH | Delhi: Opposition MPs who walked out from the Joint Parliamentary Committee have joined the meeting again. https://t.co/HhUCDCVPgI pic.twitter.com/fArzcmu5tE
— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2024
During the session, Opposition MPs expressed their discontent regarding the testimony given by Anwar Manippady, a former chairman of the Karnataka State Minorities Commission and a previous Karnataka BJP vice-president. Manippady alleged that several prominent Congress figures, including Kharge and Rehman Khan, were involved in embezzling Waqf properties.
Allegations Spark Controversy
The Opposition argued that parliamentary rules prohibit the presentation of “unproven allegations” against high-profile individuals during committee meetings. They claimed that since Kharge and others were not present to defend themselves, it was inappropriate to allow such accusations to be aired publicly. Additionally, they criticized Manippady for urging the Muslim community not to oppose the proposed amendments to the Waqf Bill, which they deemed irrelevant and out of order.
One Opposition MP articulated their concerns, stating, “Allegations cannot be leveled against someone who is not there to defend himself.”
BJP Chairperson Overrules Objections
Despite the objections raised by the Opposition, the chairperson of the committee, BJP leader Jagdambika Pal, dismissed their concerns and permitted Manippady’s deposition to continue. The decision drew further ire from the Opposition, highlighting the ongoing tensions within the parliamentary process.
Alongside Manippady, Mehmood Madani of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind also testified before the committee. His organization has been vocal in its opposition to the proposed amendments to the Waqf Bill, further intensifying the debate surrounding the legislation.
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