Tensions Rise: Opposition Boycotts India’s Waqf Amendment Bill Meeting

Opposition MPs boycotted a JPC meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill, objecting to Anwar Manippadi’s accusations against Karnataka Government and Congress President Kharge. They argue the committee is violating principles and will approach the Lok Sabha Speaker with their concerns as discussions on the bill continue until October 1.

In a notable protest, opposition MPs on Monday staged a boycott of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting concerning the Waqf Amendment Bill. Their absence came amidst allegations against Anwar Manippadi, a former chairman of Karnataka State Minorities Commission, whose presentation reportedly deviated from the bill's focus.

Critics, including Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawant, argue that Manippadi's accusations against the Karnataka Government and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge breach committee norms, prompting their withdrawal from the session on ethical grounds. The opposition intends to escalate their grievances to the Lok Sabha Speaker.

The Waqf Amendment Bill, introduced on August 8, is undergoing extensive scrutiny, with stakeholders contributing insights until October 1. The bill aims to overhaul the governance of India's 600,000 waqf properties, tackling issues such as mismanagement and corruption through digitisation and stricter regulations.

(With inputs from agencies.)