Waqf Bill: A heated clash erupted between MPs of the ruling BJP and the opposition during a parliamentary committee meeting on Tuesday, which was examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The opposition accused BJP MPs of using offensive language, prompting a walkout for the second consecutive day. The disagreement followed a heated debate involving BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Dilip Saikia, Abhijit Ganguly, and Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee alongside Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi. The dispute centred on the proposal to include women in Waqf boards.The opposition claimed that the committees chairperson, Jagdambika Pal, failed to adhere to the rules and did not take appropriate action against the BJP MPs. In contrast, the BJP accused the opposition of abusing the chairperson.The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced by the Centre on July 28, but due to strong objections from opposition parties, the bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on August 8. The committee has since been embroiled in conflict.The tension escalated on Monday after former Karnataka State Minorities Commission chairperson Anwar Manippady accused Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge of involvement in Waqf land scams. This led to an opposition walkout, with MPs citing committee rules that forbid unproven allegations against high-profile dignitaries. Despite their objections, the committee chairperson allowed the proceedings to continue.BJP MP Nishikant Dubey recently wrote to Pal, raising concerns over the 1.25 crore submissions received on the Waqf Bill and called for a Union Home Ministry investigation. Dubey hinted that foreign powers or fundamentalist groups could be influencing the process.
