New Delhi:
Opposition MPs wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday, warning that they could 'dissociate' from a joint parliamentary committee studying changes in the Waqf Act.
The MPs accused the committee's chairman, Jagadambika Pal of the Bharatiya Janata Party, of unilaterally deciding on meeting dates and summons for consultations, calling his actions a “powerful way to soften (protests) and undermine the Waqf Act ( amendment)'. They said they would walk out if they were not given enough time to express their concerns about changes in the law.
The proposed changes to the Waqf Bill were tabled in Parliament in August and, amid angry protests from opposition MPs (and questions from some key BJP allies), sent to the JPC.
Since then, the sessions have been marred by opposition protests and strikes.
Last month there was drama after Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee smashed a glass bottle – while arguing with the BJP's Abhijit Gangopadhyay – and threw the remains at Mr Pal.
Mr Banerjee, who cut his fingers, later said his 'Hulk' moment was provoked by Mr Gangopadhyay, a former judge of the Calcutta High Court, who had verbally abused his family.
The Trinamool leader also accused the chairman – Jagadambika Pal – of favoring Mr Gangopadhyay, his BJP colleague, stating that he was “tough on me but soft on him”.
Opposition MPs have also questioned the JPC hearing of groups – such as the Odisha-based Panchasakha Bani Prachar – arguing that they have no interest in discussions on the Waqf Act.
The committee will meet today to hear from the Delhi-based Jamaat-e-Islam-e-Hind, a Shia Muslim group, and the Jamiyat Himaytul Islam led by Qari Abrar Jamal. For the first time since the meeting, she will also listen to a Muslim women's group.
On Tuesday, the committee is expected to hear from the Akhil Bhartiya Adhivakta Parishad, an organization of lawyers affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ruling BJP's ideological mentor.
Among the proposed changes to the Waqf laws (apart from including non-Muslim members on the board) is a provision to include at least two women, including the Central Council. Sources told NDTV that the aim is to empower Muslim women and children who are “suffering” under the old law.
At least three BJP allies — including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JDU and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Chandrababu Naidu's TDP, both of whom are critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party maintaining its government — have also spoken out against the Waqf Amendment Act.