Congress MP Raises Alarm Over JPC Report Issues on Waqf Bill
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Synopsis
On February 13, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain raised concerns in the Rajya Sabha about procedural failures and the redaction of dissent notes in the JPC report on the Waqf Bill, sparking significant debate among opposition members.
Key Takeaways
- Concerns raised over procedural failures
- Redaction of dissent notes highlighted
- Criticism of JPC’s handling of bill
- Opposition protests in both Houses
- Waqf Bill faced backlash from opposition
New Delhi, Feb 13 (NationPress) Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain on Thursday expressed significant concerns in the Rajya Sabha regarding procedural failures and the redaction of dissent notes in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report concerning the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. His statements sparked a heated discussion as opposition members strongly criticized the management of the report and its controversial elements.
While addressing the Rajya Sabha, Hussain accused the Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju of misleading the House and asserted that sections of his dissent note had been intentionally removed.
"I want to make it clear, sir, that the minister is misleading this House. I wish to officially record my dissent, but I must highlight that the introductory part, covering letter, and conclusion of my dissent note have been omitted," Hussain stated.
Hussain further condemned the JPC’s approach to the bill, pointing out that individuals not connected to the matter were invited to participate in discussions, and that vital documents—like meeting minutes, witness responses, and presentations—were not shared with the committee members.
"In the JPC, non-stakeholders were invited, the minutes of the meetings were not disclosed, and responses from witnesses were concealed. Furthermore, the presentations were never provided," he remarked.
The Congress leader also emphasized that there had been a deficiency of meaningful dialogue among JPC members.
"There was no adequate discussion among the JPC members. Significant issues related to the bill were not sufficiently addressed," Hussain asserted.
In a scathing critique of the Bill itself, Hussain argued that the Waqf Bill was not impartial, further intensifying Opposition objections.
His comments came as the opposition created turmoil in the Rajya Sabha after the report was presented by BJP member Medha Vishram Kulkarni, a member of the JPC.
The protests persisted as Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar attempted to convey a message from the President, while opposition MPs expressed their grievances regarding the report.
Concurrently, in the Lok Sabha, the JPC report was introduced by BJP MP and JPC Chairperson Jagadambika Pal. The proceedings in the Lok Sabha were also disrupted as the report was presented.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, aimed at "streamlining" the registration process for Waqf properties, faced fierce backlash, as both Houses of Parliament experienced significant protests over the substance and management of the JPC report. Opposition members raised concerns over the exclusion of parts of their dissent notes from the final report, alleging that the entire procedure had been skewed in favor of the ruling government.
The standoff between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and opposition MPs regarding the Waqf Bill underscores escalating tensions in Parliament, with the Opposition accusing the government of manipulating the legislative process. As both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha encountered turmoil, the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is anticipated to intensify in the upcoming days.
