The opposition members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill have announced a boycott of upcoming committee meetings, starting on November 9. Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee made the declaration on Thursday, accusing JPC Chair Jagdambika Pal from the BJP of "high-handed" and "arbitrary" conduct.
“All opposition members have decided to boycott the tour. The chairman is working in an arbitrary and high-handed manner,” Banerjee said at a press conference in Kolkata.
Background on the Boycott
The JPC is set to hold meetings over six days in Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna, and Lucknow as part of a review tour. However, Banerjee and other opposition MPs sought a rescheduling of the meetings, citing additional responsibilities in their constituencies and claiming the current schedule conflicts with their official duties. Opposition MPs also met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on November 5, requesting that JPC sessions be reduced to one day per week or two consecutive days every fortnight. Banerjee claimed the Speaker had agreed to “sympathetically” consider the request, yet no changes were made to the schedule.
Concerns Over the JPC's Approach
Banerjee further criticized the committee's approach, alleging that Waqf stakeholders are not given enough time to present their views on the Amendment Bill, while individuals with no direct involvement in Waqf matters have been invited. He argued that the ruling party members are following their own agenda rather than considering broader national interests.
“We are also concerned that the interests of those directly impacted by the Waqf Amendment Bill aren’t being represented fully. Members from the ruling dispensation are pushing their own agenda, not one in the best interest of the nation,” Banerjee said.
Key Points of the Opposition's Protest:
- Scheduling Conflicts: Opposition MPs argue that the JPC meeting schedule interferes with other official duties.
- Representation Issues: They claim genuine stakeholders in the Waqf Bill aren't given adequate time to share their concerns.
- Accusations of Bias: Opposition members feel the ruling party’s actions are driven by an internal agenda rather than public interest.
The boycott reflects escalating tensions between the ruling and opposition members over the handling of the Waqf Amendment Bill review process. As the meetings begin on November 9, it remains uncertain how the absence of opposition voices will impact the committee’s decisions.
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