Waqf Bill: Ruckus in the first meeting of JPC, Owaisi and BJP MP Ganguly clashed

New Delhi. The opposition has been opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 from the very beginning. In such a situation, today (August 22), the first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) formed regarding this bill was held. According to sources, this meeting lasted for 6 hours. During the JPC meeting, there was a heated debate between opposition MPs and BJP MPs.

According to sources, the opposition questioned the officials who brought the presentation on the Waqf Amendment Bill. BJP allies like TDP and LJP also asked the government to address the concerns of the Muslim community. However, these allies of BJP also chose the middle path. Sources say that JDU will put forward the concerns of the Muslim community, which will be taken from its elected representatives.

During the meeting, the main answer of the opposition was based on Article 26. Opposition MPs asked the BJP, ‘What is the reason behind bringing these amendments, why are these amendments being brought? The properties of the Waqf Board, including the mosque in front of Parliament, are 200-300 years old. Why start a controversy now? Will you allow Muslims to be part of Sikh or Hindu temple trusts?’

These 3 BJP MPs were absent

According to sources, during the meeting, there was a heated debate between Asaduddin Owaisi and BJP’s Abhijit Ganguly. INDIA Block MPs strongly opposed Ganguly’s behavior. TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee and AAP’s Sanjay Singh also had a heated debate with BJP MPs. YSR CP also opposed the Waqf amendments. 3 JPC members Nishikant Dubey, Radha Mohan Das Aggarwal and Suresh Gopinath Mhatre (NCP-SP) did not attend the first JPC meeting. 5 opposition members including Owaisi and SP’s Mohibullah Nadvi opposed the proposed amendments in writing.

Next meeting on August 30

During the meeting, the opposition demanded that advertisements should be given in newspapers for wider consultation with stakeholders. Also, email IDs and phone numbers should be issued to invite suggestions, feedback and concerns. Let us tell you that the next meeting of JPC on this matter will be held on August 30.