Opposition stages walkout over controversial Delhi Waqf board presentation during JPC session

New Delhi: Several opposition leaders walked out of Monday's Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in protest against a presentation by the Delhi Waqf Board. According to the protesting members, the presentation was altered by Delhi Waqf Board’s administrator Ashwini Kumar, allegedly without informing the Delhi government. Among those who exited the meeting were AAP MP Sanjay Singh, the DMK's Mohammed Abdulla, and Congress MPs Naseer Hussain and Mohamed Jawed.

Altered presentation sparks walkout

The opposition claimed that Ashwini Kumar, who is also the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner, modified the original report without the approval of Delhi’s chief minister, Atishi. The committee, chaired by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, had summoned the Delhi Waqf Board, Haryana Waqf Board, Punjab Waqf Board, and Uttarakhand Waqf Board to discuss proposed amendments in the bill.

Prior Tensions in JPC Meetings

The recent walkout follows tensions in previous JPC discussions. In the October 22 meeting, BJP MP Abhijit Gangopadhyay and TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee were involved in a heated exchange, which ended with Banerjee allegedly throwing a glass bottle in frustration. Banerjee was later barred from attending one JPC meeting as a disciplinary measure.

Purpose of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to implement comprehensive reforms, including digitization, tighter audits, and enhanced legal frameworks to reclaim encroached properties. The bill also proposes to increase transparency and accountability across waqf boards to prevent illegal occupation and mismanagement.