Rajya Sabha Amidst a row over JPC report on Waqf Amendment Bill .
During the Parliament’s Budget Session, on Thursday, rousing clashes took place in the Rajya Sabha when the Opposition protested the Joint parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the Waqf Amendment Bill. Controversy arose after Opposition members accused their dissent notes were deleted from the report. However, the government firmly denied the accusations, asserting that no dissent notes had been redacted.
Government Defends JPC Report, Refutes Allegations
The majority party maintained its position, emphasizing that the chairmanship of the JPC allows the chairman to delete whatever parts may tarnish the committee. Government sources clarified that only specific parts of the dissent notes were omitted—particularly those containing “unparliamentary remarks” against JPC chairman and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal. They emphasized that the dissent notes remained a part of the report in their official form.
#WATCH | Delhi: In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge says, “… In the JPC report on the Waqf Board, many members have their dissent report… It is not right to remove those notes and bulldoze our views… This is anti-democracy… I condemn any report… pic.twitter.com/e1glZ0AWvr
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025
With an increase in tension, the Opposition walked out of the House, which then drew the ire of Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. He remarked that by walking out, the Opposition was not merely leaving the Rajya Sabha but also disregarding their constitutional responsibilities.
Speaker Om Birla Intervenes to Address Concerns
In order to defuse the mounting tensions, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju conferred with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla as well as Opposition members. Following discussions, a resolution was reached to include the dissent notes of Opposition members in the report in their original, unaltered form.
Heated Debate in Rajya Sabha Over Alleged Removal of Dissent Notes
During the session, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge strongly objected to the manner in which the JPC report was presented. He accused the government of “bulldozing” the Opposition’s views and declared that they would not accept a “fake report” that excluded dissenting opinions.
“In the JPC report on the Waqf Board, many members have their dissent reports… It is not right to remove those notes and bulldoze our views… This is anti-democratic… I condemn any report that has been presented after deleting the dissent reports. We will never accept such fake reports. If the report does not have dissent views, it should be sent back and presented again,” Kharge asserted.
#WATCH | Delhi: In the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says, “… I have checked the concerns raised by the Opposition. There is no deletion or removal from the report. Everything is on the floor of the House. On what basis can such an issue be raised? The members of the… pic.twitter.com/Qus4tg9PoT
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025
Government Calls Opposition Allegations Baseless
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju staunchly rejected the Opposition’s allegations. He maintained that the entire JPC process followed parliamentary rules and that no changes were made to the report.
“I have checked the concerns raised by the Opposition. There is no deletion or removal from the report. Everything is on the floor of the House. On what basis can such an issue be raised? Members of Opposition are raising an issue which is not a fact. The allegation is false. All members of Opposition parties who sat in the JPC attended all the proceedings over the past six months, Rijiju said.
He also explained that the dissent notes were included in the report Annex and reproached the Opposition for a false accusation before the House.
Opposition Walks Out, Political Tensions Escalate
Ultimately, despite the government’s clarifications, the Opposition not only remained dissatisfied but also staged a spectacular walkout from the Rajya Sabha. Their protest underscored growing political tensions and deep divisions over the JPC report on the Waqf Amendment Bill.
This episode reflects the ongoing friction between the ruling government and the Opposition, as both sides continue to battle over key legislative issues. The controversy over the JPC report adds another chapter to the intensifying political discourse in the Parliament.
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