New Delhi: The introduction of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju led to fierce protests from the Opposition, prompting Home Minister Amit Shah to launch a strong counterattack. The Opposition accused the government of rushing the bill without adequate discussion, a charge that Shah dismissed as baseless.
RSP MP N.K. Chandran voiced strong objections, arguing that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) had exceeded its mandate by introducing new clauses. “We are not debating the original bill. The JPC can recommend amendments but cannot alter the nature of the bill itself,” he asserted, questioning the constitutional validity of the changes.
Rebutting these claims, Amit Shah emphasized that the bill had followed all procedural norms. “The Union Cabinet approved the bill before it was sent to the JPC on the Opposition’s demand. After deliberations, its recommendations were again cleared by the Cabinet before being reintroduced in the House. There is nothing illegal here,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the Congress, Shah alleged that previous governments treated Joint Committees as mere rubber stamps, whereas under the NDA, they function as democratic platforms for discussion. “If there is no debate, what is the purpose of a committee?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla dismissed the Opposition’s objections, clarifying that the JPC’s amendments were well within parliamentary procedures. The bill, which seeks to bring changes to the Waqf Act, remains a contentious issue, setting the stage for a heated debate in Parliament.
