On Thursday, the Joint Parliamentary Committee Report on Waqf (Amendment) bill was tabled in both the Houses of the Parliament. The JPC report’s presentation was followed by sloganeering in the Upper House of the Parliament, leading to the adjournment of the session till 11:20 am. It was yet again disrupted by protesting MPs from the opposition parties.
Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar questioned the behavior of protesting MPs in the House. Dhankar said to those disrupting the Rajya Sabha proceedings, “You should learn some basic manners”. Health Minister JP Nadda said, “The government condemns the actions of the Opposition”. The JPC report on the Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha at 2PM and was once again met by strong opposition from MPs of various parties.
Congress MP and leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that the JPC report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill be taken back unless it includes dissent notes by the Opposition members of the JPC. Kharge said, “You have the power to refuse this report”. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the JPC report on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, responding to claims from the opposition that the report contained altered or deleted comments.
Rijiju rejected these allegations, calling them false and misleading and accused the opposition of attempting to mislead the House. He said that the report reflected the discussions and amendments made during the committee’s deliberations. Rijiju’s defense came following fierce criticism from opposition members, who raised concerns over the integrity of the report.
The Joint Committee of Parliament examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill submitted its report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 31. Panel chairperson Jagdambika Pal personally handed over the report to Birla at his Parliament House office.
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