Opposition MPs Suspended Amid Chaos Over Waqf Act Amendments in JPC Meeting

Ten opposition MPs, including Trinamool's Kalyan Banerjee, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, and A Raja of the DMK, have been suspended for the day from the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) studying the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act of 1955. The suspensions came after heated exchanges during Friday's JPC meeting.

The meeting began with chaos, as opposition MPs protested that they had not been given sufficient time to review the proposed changes to the Waqf laws. The JPC was set to hear from Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the religious head of Kashmir, but this was delayed. Opposition members accused BJP members of rushing the bill through in time for the upcoming Delhi elections, further escalating tensions.

Following a brief adjournment, the JPC reconvened, and the Mirwaiz addressed the committee. He expressed strong objections to the proposed amendments, stating, "We hope our suggestions will be heard and acted upon, and no such step will be taken that could make Muslims feel like they are being disempowered." He also emphasised the importance of Waqf issues in Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim-majority state, adding, "The issue of Waqf is a very serious matter, especially for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Many people have concerns regarding this, and we want the government to refrain from interfering in Waqf matters."

Tensions resurfaced when Kalyan Banerjee and Congress MP Naseer Hussain stormed out of the meeting, calling the proceedings a "farce." BJP MP Nishikant Dubey criticized their actions, calling them "against Parliamentary practice" and accusing the opposition of attempting to suppress the majority.

The JPC hearing, which was set up in August last year, has seen numerous disruptions, including physical confrontations. In October, TMC's Kalyan Banerjee had an outburst, smashing a glass bottle on the table and throwing it at the BJP's Jagadambika Pal, the committee chair, following a verbal altercation with another BJP MP. He later explained that the incident was provoked by offensive remarks directed at his family.

The proposed Waqf Amendment Bill includes several controversial changes, such as nominating non-Muslim and at least two women members to the Waqf boards. It also proposes that the central Waqf Council include a union minister, three MPs, two former judges, and several prominent public figures who may not be from the Muslim community. Additionally, the Council would no longer be able to claim land.

Another contentious provision limits donations from Muslims who have been practicing their faith for at least five years, raising concerns over the definition of a "practicing Muslim."

Critics, including Congress leader KC Venugopal, have labeled the bill as a "direct attack on freedom of religion." Owaisi and DMK’s Kanimozhi have also argued that the amendments violate constitutional rights, including Article 15, which guarantees the right to practice any religion, and Article 30, which protects the rights of minorities to establish and manage their educational institutions.

The committee was initially required to submit its report by November 29, but the deadline has been extended to February 13, the final day of Parliament's Budget Session. Both the opposition and BJP requested this extension.​