Waqf Amendment Bill Report Ignites Parliamentary Fury

Home Minister Amit Shah assured the inclusion of opposition dissent in the Waqf Amendment Bill report, amidst protests and allegations from opposition leaders. The report was tabled with claims that dissent notes were omitted, leading to heated debates in both parliamentary houses.

Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Thursday that the government does not oppose the inclusion of dissent notes from the Opposition in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the Waqf Amendment Bill. The report was presented in the Lok Sabha by chairman Jagdambika Pal amid opposition uproar. Earlier, similar revelations were made in the Rajya Sabha, where the Opposition alleged their dissent notes were omitted from the JPC's final report.

Addressing parliament's Lower House, Union Home Minister Shah, amidst ongoing opposition protests, emphasized that his party has no reservations regarding the inclusion of Opposition disputes in the parliamentary procedure. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed all dissent notes had been included following discussions with Opposition leaders, with the session adjourned until March 10.

Amid mounting tensions, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the removal of dissent notes, labeling it anti-democratic and condemning any report published without opposition views. Meanwhile, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, JP Nadda, condemned the opposition's protest as irresponsible, while Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed claims of omissions, asserting that the report adheres to parliamentary guidelines.