NEW DELHI: Ten opposition MPs were suspended from a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Friday after a disturbance broke out.
The suspended MPs include Mohammed Jawaid, Kalyan Banerjee, A Raja, Nasir Hussain, Asaduddin Owaisi, Mohibullah, Arvind Sawant, M. Abdullah, Nadimul Haq, and Imran Masood.
The next meeting of the JPC is set for January 27, starting at 11:00 AM, where committee members will review the clauses one by one.
Earlier this week, Jagdambika Pal, the JPC Chairman, said the meeting in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday would be the final one. After this, the committee plans to present its report in Parliament during the budget session, which begins on January 31.
"The JPC consists of members from various parties, and all discussions have taken place in a positive environment. I am confident that our report will benefit the public in the future. Over the past six months, we have held 34 meetings in Delhi alone, and I want to thank all MPs who participated. I believe this will lead to a well-crafted law ensuring that Waqf properties are used for their proper purpose," Pal stated.
Meanwhile, A Raja, the DMK Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha, representing the Opposition, requested the JPC Chairman to delay the meetings set for January 24 and 25.
In his letter to Jagdambika Pal, Raja said, "The JPC’s tour to meet stakeholders in Patna, Kolkata, and Lucknow concluded only on January 21, and members returned to their constituencies to attend pre-scheduled engagements. Strangely, the next meetings were announced without prior discussion while the committee was still on tour."
JPC to Present Report During Budget Session
The JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is expected to submit its report during the upcoming budget session. The committee's term was extended during the winter session of Parliament.
The Waqf Act of 1995, which governs Waqf properties, has faced criticism for issues like mismanagement, corruption, and illegal encroachments.
The budget session of Parliament is set to begin on January 31 and run until April 4, with the Union Budget to be presented on February 1.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to tackle these issues by introducing reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, greater transparency, and legal measures to recover illegally occupied properties.