FairPoint: From Pinpricks to Laughs, Parliament's Waqf Discussion

New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) It requires two parties to engage in a game, and this was evident in Parliament, where the valiant Opposition and the commanding Treasury engaged in one of the longest debates in the history of Parliament.

The extensive discussion surrounding the Waqf Amendment Bill, aimed at curtailing the widespread phenomenon of land-grabbing, was marked by a variety of emotions, including laughter and embarrassment, anger and good humor, and a mix of politics and emotion. Sparks flew during this session, with numerous allegations, accusations, and even personal jabs traded.

The debate was characterized by intense discussions and divergent viewpoints.

Ultimately, the ruling coalition emerged victorious. They showcased an array of facts and figures — many of which were both shocking and alarming. These statistics provided them with a significant advantage, overshadowing the Opposition's focus on politicking and voter appeasement. While data favored the NDA, several of its speakers, particularly Home Minister Amit Shah and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, shone brightly during the debate.

The bill's discussion highlighted the ruling party's preparedness. Conversely, the Opposition struggled to effectively counter the narrative. Many of its key leaders were notably silent or absent throughout the debate. None of the Gandhis contributed to the discussion, delegating the fight to leaders from Assam, Telangana, Kerala, West Bengal, and Bihar — states with substantial Muslim voter populations.

It seems the Gandhis aimed to showcase the party’s Muslim representatives, whose speeches primarily defended their religion and the Waqf Board's land management. However, this strategy appears to have backfired, as various Muslim organizations and leaders have criticized their silence.

As the Gandhis received backlash, ruling party speakers garnered praise for their clever remarks and fact-driven presentations.

During a heated Lok Sabha debate, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took a jab at the ruling BJP, questioning why the nation's largest political party struggled to elect its president. Home Minister Amit Shah quickly retorted that the BJP is not a dynastic party and takes its time in leadership selection.

"In some parties, only five family members select the president..." he humorously remarked.

In the Rajya Sabha, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi delivered a passionate speech in Hindi, expressing concern over the changing portrayal of Muslims — shifting from representation by artists and intellectuals to association with figures like Ishrat Jahan, Yakub Memon, Mukhtar Ansari, Atiq Ahmed, and Dawood Ibrahim.

At this juncture, MDMK MP Vaiko and several Congress members interrupted him. Yet, Home Minister Amit Shah interjected with a humorous comment, "Vaikoji understands Hindi," eliciting laughter throughout the House and revealing the DMK's duplicity concerning the alleged Hindi imposition issue.

In another amusing moment, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale made a poetic jab at the Opposition while endorsing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha, bringing laughter to the House. He specifically urged Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to recognize Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts.

Perhaps the most discussed incident was the 'washroom' clash. A heated argument erupted regarding Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh's departure during voting. The Opposition raised concerns about how the two were permitted to exit while the lobby was sealed. Amid the shouting, Deputy Leader of Opposition Gaurav Gogoi and later Congress MP Imran Masood entered from outside, causing embarrassment for the Opposition.

Ultimately, Speaker Om Birla clarified that no rules were violated, explaining that the new Parliament building's layout includes corridors and washrooms situated beyond the chamber.

Another intense moment transpired in the Rajya Sabha between Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress MP Digvijay Singh. During the Waqf debate, Singh questioned Shah about his involvement during the 2002 Gujarat riots, to which Shah responded that he was not the Home Minister of Gujarat at that time. Shah challenged Singh to deny his previous comments linking the RSS to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Shah persistently pressed Singh on this, and eventually, a visibly annoyed Singh claimed he never made such a statement.

The bill undeniably witnessed a heated and intense debate, with both factions employing all available resources. The Opposition also faced its share of embarrassment, particularly when some MPs opposing the bill turned against Congress.

Hanuman Beniwal, Lok Sabha MP and leader of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, remarked that there has been no substantial improvement in the socio-economic status of Muslims over the past 70 years.

Independent MP from Kashmir, Engineer Rashid, went further, asserting that Congress "dips its dagger in the sweet syrup of secularism and then drives it into the backs of Muslims."

As the debate on the Waqf Bill concludes and President Droupadi Murmu grants her approval, the political landscape surrounding it remains tumultuous. Numerous Opposition parties and notable Muslim organizations have vowed to persist in their struggle. Meanwhile, a viral video depicts Waqf Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) Chairman Jagdambika Pal, Congress MP Naseer Hussain, and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi sharing laughter and jokes in the Parliament canteen — leaving the public both entertained and bewildered.

(Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)