A number of opposition MPs refused to attend a parliamentary committee meeting investigating the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, claiming the panel is not following rules, following allegations against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Waqf land scams. The prolonged sessions of the Joint Committee of Parliament have been characterized by confrontations between BJP and opposition members, with tensions escalating on Monday when the opposition questioned the necessity of involving Hindu groups in discussions about a law pertaining to Muslims.
Opposition Members of Parliament protested by leaving the room in response to the presentation by Anwar Manippady, a former leader of the Karnataka State Minorities Commission and the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation. He used to be a vice-president of Karnataka BJP before.
Manippady accused multiple Karnataka Congress leaders, such as Kharge and Rehman Khan, of participating in the misappropriation of Waqf properties. The opposition Members of Parliament referenced regulations governing the activities of parliamentary committees in order to argue that accusations without evidence against important officials should not be brought up during the panels’ meetings. They also stated that Manippady urged Muslims to not go against the Bill, which was also inappropriate.
An opposition lawmaker stated that accusations cannot be made against an individual who is not present to defend themselves. Despite their objections, the committee’s chairperson, BJP leader Jagdambika Pal, decided to allow the deposition to proceed. A member of the BJP stated that Manippady’s claims about Waqf properties were important for the Bill.
Opposition lawmakers, such as Gaurav Gogoi and Imran Masood from the Congress party, A Raja from the DMK, Arvind Sawant from the Shiv Sena (UBT), Asaduddin Owaisi from AIMIM, Mohibbullah from the Samajwadi Party, and Sanjay Singh from the Aam Aadmi Party, left the meeting in protest and strongly criticized its process.
Sawant informed reporters that the committee is not operating in compliance with rules and regulations. Later, the opposition members convened a separate meeting to discuss their next steps. They are anticipated to send a letter to the Lok Sabha speaker regarding the panel’s operations on Tuesday.
The committee summoned multiple organizations and activists linked to Hindu causes for questioning, which was strongly opposed by the opposition members. They objected to Hindu groups being consulted for their opinions, arguing that they should not have a say in matters related to Waqf, which are important to Muslims.
Sources within the ruling BJP, on the other hand, stated that these groups and advocates have been bringing up concerns about the impact of the Waqf law on properties owned by non-Muslims, including temples. They should be included in the decision-making process when the committee has opted to conduct such a thorough consultation, they included.
The sources mentioned that Owaisi wrote to Pal about inviting Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, claiming that these groups adhere to extremist beliefs. The organisations aim to establish a “Hindu rashtra” and have openly advocated for violent methods and incited insurrection against the Union of India, as per the letter sent by the Hyderabad MP to Pal.
Additional individuals sought for questioning by the committee were lawyers Vishnu Shankar Jain and Ashwini Upadhyay, as well as “Mahant” Sudhirdas Maharaj from Kalaram temple in Nashik, Maharashtra. Mehmood Madani from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind also presented himself in front of the committee. His group has been against the suggested changes in the Waqf Bill.