Controversy Erupts Over JPC Report on Waqf Bill

The redaction of dissent notes from a JPC report on the Waqf Amendment Bill has sparked an uproar. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju clarified that only portions casting aspersions on the committee were removed, while opposition MPs claim their dissent was unjustly excluded.

Turmoil has erupted in Parliament over the alleged redaction of dissent notes from the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the Waqf Amendment Bill. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stepped forward on Thursday, addressing the contentious deletions by stating that only those aspects implying criticism of the committee's integrity were redacted.

Opposition leaders, led by Rajya Sabha's Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, claim their dissenting views were removed from the report, which was introduced by BJP member Medha Vishram Kulkarni. In his defense, Rijiju maintained that any controversial points were omitted according to proper procedural rules.

The issue has triggered a significant reaction from the opposition, who argue that the report's integrity has been compromised by exclusively representing the majority's viewpoint. The controversy continues as opposition members call the move undemocratic and demand reconsideration on part of the committee chair.

(With inputs from agencies.)