Tug Of War Ensues As Govt, Oppn Spar Over 'Omission' Of Dissent Notes On JPC Report On Waqf Bill

After opposition protests, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju assured that dissenting notes from leaders are included in the JPC report on the Waqf Amendment Bill.

Opposition protests over the joint parliamentary committee's report on the Waqf Amendment Bill after it was tabled in Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Source : PTI

Amid opposition protests over the joint parliamentary committee's report on the Waqf Amendment Bill, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday assured that the dissenting notes from leaders have been included in the report. He stated that it would be incorrect to label the report as "illegal" or "unconstitutional". Rijiju said the complete report, along with its annexure, has been duly presented in the House.

"If the dissent notes cast aspersion on the committee, then the chairman has the power to remove it if needed. The chairman has this power as per the rules. If the members think that something should not have been removed, they can ask the chairman. It is not right to call the JPC report illegal and unconstitutional. It is not NDA's report; it is the report of the Parliament," Rijiju told news agency ANI.

"All dissent reports are included in the report which was tabled in the Rajya Sabha and will be tabled in the Lok Sabha," Rijiju added.

Rijiju's response came after Congress National President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, opposed the JPC report on Thursday, alleging that dissent notes from Opposition members were removed.

Kharge lashed out at the report stating that it is not right to remove the dissent notes and views of the Opposition members from the report. "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-democratic and condemnable. Stockholders were called from outside and their statements were taken. 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 said.

Chairman of JPC On Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 Hits Out At Oppositions

Lashing out at the opposition for walking out of the house, the Chairman of JPC on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said, "If the Opposition has brought up this issue (dissent notes note included in report), and on it, the Union Home Minister has said that his party has no objections to including these dissent notes. The Speaker said that the dissent notes would be included. This is like the Speaker's direction. Is it not wrong to walk out even after this?"

#WATCH | Delhi: After tabling of JPC report in Parliament today, Chairman of JPC on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal says, "If the Opposition has brought up this issue (dissent notes note included in report), and on it, the Union Home Minister has said that his… pic.twitter.com/ArUktJH1mg

— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025

Boycotting the bill, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad said "The Opposition's suggestions regarding the Bill were totally ignored. This bill has been presented to distract from important issues in the country. We have not only opposed the Bill but also boycotted it, and we will not let this pass on any condition."

#WATCH | Delhi | On Waqf JPC report tabled in the Lok Sabha, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad says, "The Opposition's suggestions regarding the Bill were totally ignored. This bill has been presented to distract from important issues in the country... We have not only opposed… pic.twitter.com/nsx4KKBYNm

— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025

Hitting out at the opposition for walking out of the house over the JPC report, BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy told ANI, "The Home Minister asked the Speaker if he was free to add the dissent notes to the report that was tabled in the Parliament. What more do we want in a democracy? Still, the Opposition wants to stage a walkout, which is sad."

#WATCH | Delhi | On Waqf JPC report tabled in the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy says, "The Home Minister asked the Speaker if he was free to add the dissent notes to the report that was tabled in the Parliament. What more do we want in a democracy? Still, the Opposition… pic.twitter.com/CQhniywpvD

— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025

BJP MP Ravi Kishan said, "This is good news for the Muslim community because earlier they used to get notices on their properties anytime and now no one can take away their rights... The hooliganism that used to happen in the name of Waqf will now stop."

#WATCH | Delhi | On Waqf JPC report tabled in the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Ravi Kishan says, "This is good news for the Muslim community, because earlier they used to get notices on their properties anytime and now no one can take away their rights... The hooliganism that used to happen… pic.twitter.com/SnP1ZNMIZx

— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025

SP MP Iqra Hasan also alleged that the committee report was submitted and they were notified by the committee members that the committee proceedings were conducted in a partisan manner. "Inputs were not taken independently... We are against the bill. It is unconstitutional and against the rights of minorities. Many dissenting notes of JPC members have been edited and put in the report. Their concerns have not been incorporated, "she alleged.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Waqf JPC report tabled in the Lok Sabha, SP MP Iqra Hasan says, "The committee report has been submitted and we have received information from the committee members that the committee proceedings were conducted in a partisan manner. Inputs were not taken… pic.twitter.com/upOS5TLSii

— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025

The General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, Maulana Yasoob Abbas, said, "The Waqf Amendment Bill is not right. Through the All India Shia Personal Law Board, we are opposing this bill. I will soon hold a meeting of the executive board of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, and if necessary, we will approach the Supreme Court."

#WATCH | Lucknow | Over the JPC report on the Waqf Amendment Bill, the General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, Maulana Yasoob Abbas, says, "The Waqf Amendment Bill is not right. Through the All India Shia Personal Law Board, we are opposing this bill. I will… pic.twitter.com/qBqRd40NYb

— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025